Live Auction 20978American Art
EANGER IRVING COUSE (1866-1936)
Lot 82 Property from the Estate of Patrick Rutherford, Jr.

EANGER IRVING COUSE (1866-1936)

The Rain God Maker

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Estimate

USD 25,000–35,000

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EANGER IRVING COUSE (1866-1936)
The Rain God Maker
signed indistinctly (lower left)—inscribed with title (on the reverse)
oil on board
8 x 10 in. (20.3 x 25.4 cm.)
Painted circa 1920.

Kennedy Galleries, Inc., New York.
Country Store Art Gallery, Wimberley, Texas.
Acquired by the late owner from the above, 1973.

Specialist note

The present work depicts Joe Sunhawk Sandoval of Taos as a young child alongside Ben Couse Lujan. Sandoval was one of the most frequently painted Taos Pueblo Indians and a popular model for Couse as well as a favorite of Joseph Henry Sharp and others. A handwritten letter dated August 24, 1972 written by Sandoval will accompany this lot. He writes, "My father was Geronimo of Taos, Apache Chief. My mother was from the Taos Pueblo. I am Joe Sunhawk and I posed for Irving Couse many times. I was a young child when I posed for this painting along the Chief Ben Couse. The name of this painting is 'The Rain God Maker.'"