Description
Round Dance
Maynard Dixon, 1931
“Through the dances are united body and soul, and self with the community, and self and tribe with nature and God.” –John Collier, Native American advocate
Dixon’s simplified forms, bright colors, and rhythmic patterns create a magical ambiance around the Taos Indian ritual dance invoking otherworldly intervention. Dixon viewed Native American life and rituals as simple, non-corrupt, and connected to the natural world. Dixon witnessed this ritual dance on Christmas Eve, 1931 in Taos, New Mexico on the same occasion that he saw the pageant portrayed in his Christmas Eve Procession, also on view in this exhibition. At this time, the United States government attempted to ban Native American ritual dances in order to “civilize” native cultures.
Round Dance was displayed in the American Dreams exhibition.
What’s Going On?
Six Native American figures stand shoulder to shoulder forming a line that extends horizontally across the canvas. Each figure wears distinctive clothing. The figure on the far left has a textile over their head, next has a colorful blanket wrapped around his waist, then three figures are covered under a single blanket that is half dark and half orange, and finally, on the right, the figure has a textile around his neck. Their feet appear to be in motion and the ground they stand upon is bare earth.
More About Dixon
Originally from California, Dixon painted subjects in Arizona, New Mexico and eventually settled in Southern Utah. There he developed his signature style of unique compositions. This often featured low horizons and simplified, yet imposing clouds and rock formations in bold colors.
Dixon also focused on preserving the image of Native American peoples whom he believed were disappearing from the American West. While married to the famous photographer Dorothea Lange, Dixon also focused on social realist subjects. Here he depicted people struggling to make a living during the Great Depression.
Guy Lebeda (verified owner) –