J D ROYBAL / San Ildefonso Pueblo Original Painting

Description

José Desiderio (J.D.) Roybal
(1922-1978)
Indian Name: Oquwa (Rain God)
Origin:
San Ildefonso Pueblo
Medium: gouache
Size:
3 1/4” x 4 3/4” image;
9 1/4” x 12 1/4” framed
Price:
5.00
José Desiderio (J.D.) Roybal
, whose Tewa name was Oquwa (Rain God), was a well-known painter from San Ildefonso Pueblo. He was born on November 7, 1922, at San Ildefonso, the son of Tonita and Juan Cruz Roybal. He passed away June 28, 1978. He was a nephew of two popular Pueblo artists. Alfonso Roybal and Twa Tsireh, the latter of whom taught him the traditional style of Pueblo painting.
He did a bit of painting in the 1930s but was not very productive until the 1950s. He was most productive in the 1960-1970 decade. His paintings focused on dance ceremonies of the San Ildefonso and
were characterized by
multiple figures (often including more than 50 dancers in a single painting).  His most popular subject matter was his rendition of the Tewa Clowns known as Koshare or Koosa. He often presented them in a jovial whimsical manner
He used water-based paints throughout his career. His excellent detail in small paintings never went unnoticed. In his work there prevails fine color, excellent detail, small and fine outlines, gesturing figures, and a pleasing combination of heavy conventional themes with realistic subjects.
His devotion to traditional Pueblo painting made him one of the more important San Ildefonso painters.  His works are included in such noted museum collections as the Museum of Northern Arizona (Flagstaff, AZ) and the Millicent Rogers Museum (Taos, NM).