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Georgia O'Keeffe
Kachina with Horns from Back, 1935
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Georgia O'Keeffe
Kachina with Horns from Back, 1935
Graphite on paper, 8 7/8 x 6 inches
Georgia O'Keeffe Museum
Gift of Juan and Anna Marie Hamilton
2003.3.3

In the Hopi culture, the term Katsina (Katsinam, plural), also Kachina, is only used in reference to spirit beings. The Hopi term for the carved wooden figures that represent the Katsinam is Katsina tihu (tithu, plural). Georgia O'Keeffe created paintings of Hopi katsina dolls (tithu) between 1931 and 1942. These religious figures were highly visible and available to non-Hopi and non-Pueblo people during this time, but the museum has no record regarding why she painted or drew these figures nor where she saw them. ^ ^ The back of a kachina figurine is depicted on the left side of the paper. The figure's body is stocky and cylindrical. Thin horns protrude from the head, and feathers hang from the horns. The figure appears to be wearing a necklace. The shirt is lightly shaded, while the lower garment, which resembles a skirt, is not shaded.
DETAILS

Catalogue Raisonné Number

858

Inscriptions

Inscriptions: Backing: "Georgia O'Keeffe" (black ink)

Provenance

Private collection, 1987 1987 , Estate of the artist, 1986 Georgia O'Keeffe 1986 Abiquiu/New Mexico

Exhibition History

2013 Santa Fe (O'Keeffe) Katsina; all venues
CREDITS & RIGHTS

© Private Collection*, Gift


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ADMINISTRATIVE
INFORMATION

Source System ID

1087