The Shalako
Artist
Gustave Baumann
(American, born Germany, 1881 - 1971)
Date1923
Mediumoil on board with hand carved wooden frame
DimensionsImage: 35 1/4 × 59 1/2 in. (89.5 × 151.1 cm)
Frame: 37 5/8 × 61 5/8 × 1 1/2 in. (95.6 × 156.5 × 3.8 cm)
Frame: 37 5/8 × 61 5/8 × 1 1/2 in. (95.6 × 156.5 × 3.8 cm)
ClassificationsPainting
Credit LineGift of Jane Baumann, 1976
Object number3409.23P
DescriptionAn image of the Shalako ceremony featuring 3 large Shalako figures at the left. These figures have a feathered headdress and masks with long beaks. In front of the Shalako are three groups of people dressed in black. In the right foreground are six Clown dancers that are wearing masks, loin clothes, and neck scarves. The foreground has five figures and beige hills. In the back ground are large green mountains.eMuseum Notes
The
Shalako is a series
of Zuni dances and ceremonies which takes place as close as possible to both the
full moon and the winter solstice, the darkest day of the year, signaling the
beginning of the year for the Zunis. The Zuni word ‘Shalako’ refers to several
distinct things: the ceremony; the costumed figures of the dance; and the
spirits they personify. Leaving the old
behind, the Shalako dance asks for blessings in the new year. When Gustave
Baumann came to the Southwest, he became interested in Native art and
ceremonies, often including dances and other such events into his paintings and
prints. He most often drew his compositions for ceremonial subject matter from
life sketches he made in person at Pueblo dances.
On View
Not on viewTerms
- Zuñi
- ceremonies
- dance
- dancers
- winter
- processions
- ceremonial costume
- masks (costume)
- night
- people
