Joseph Henry Sharp, "The Arrow Maker"

 

  This week brings us all the way to New Mexico for a warm and beautiful portrait.  The artist is Joseph Henry Sharp (1859 -1953), an American artist unknown to me until now.  

   Sharp was born in Ohio and centered his early life in Cincinnati where he taught school and was active in their art club.  He gained his education not only in Ohio, but other areas, including Europe where he studied the old masters.  
   His life changed in 1893 when he first traveled to Taos, New Mexico.   Here he made his major impact studying and recording the American First People with his drawings and paintings.  In 1912 he permanently moved to Taos where he became the founding member of the Taos Society of Artists, and was called its "Spiritual  Father".   From then on the bulk of the art Sharp created was of the American West as an historian of a changing way of life.
   I loved this image when I first saw it, and really, what is not to love!   The light coming from the obvious fire off to our right is casting a warm glow into the interior.  It is difficult to tell where we are. On the right side we see what appears to be a wood paneled wall, while the left indicates possibly a suspended leather dividing the space.   The composition is wonderful.   Sharp sets the figure on a solid base then creates a set of amazing triangles.  Notice in particular how the shadow line behind the figure continues on with the arrow and down to the lower right, stopping by the woven basket.  Look close and see how many triangles you can find of different sizes and shapes.  There are lots.  Notice, too, the soft blue-green color of the shoe, arrow tip, and object below the figure.  It is the only area of the painting using this color thereby grounding out attention and solidifying the base.  Wonderful!  
    When I first glanced at the figure I saw a woman, but I am sure I was wrong.  This person is dressed as a male, but possibly not of great age.  
   Arrow Maker is part of the collection of the Cincinnati Museum of Art's permanent collection and is listed as being on public view there.   It is an oil on canvas measuring about 22 inches by 27 inches.   Date for the painting is circa 1920.   
   Make Art a part of your life, it's a beautiful thing to do.   


    

Comments

  1. Char HarguthMarch 18, 2021 at 7:01 AM

    I was just pondering why we have a Black History month and not an American Indian month. They deserve more. The warmth of this painting just takes you in. It is beautiful. I appreciated the composition description, and noting what you pointed out! You could almost divide it diagonally. The Indian is concentrating on his well-honed skill. Everything in the painting hints of culture and purity of the natural elements. The artist has created a dramatic scene with such limited colors. I am attracted to the insect imprint to the right of the feathers!! It is a pleasure to see an Indian painting without warriors and horses. I really like the Arrow Maker!!

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    Replies
    1. Art Expert On LineMarch 21, 2021 at 7:51 AM

      i was attracted to the insect image, too. It looks a bit like a stylized dragon fly, and was wondering why it was included. I can only assume it has some lost meaning. American Indians did name themselves after natural creatures, so possibly it refers to our subject. We will never know. If not that, then I can only assume this imprint was on the leather when the artist sat down to do the portrait, so included it, as simply part of the natural setting.

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