Fritz William Scholder (American - Mission/Luiseno, 1937-2005). "Quartz Mountain Skeleton" acrylic on paper, 2001. Signed (scratched into the paint) on upper left. Title, medium, and date are handwritten on the verso. A powerful painting by the legendary Fritz Scholder, depicting a striking skeletal figure, presented bust-length, wearing a white shirt and a black tie, with one bony hand before his torso. The figure is delineated in Scholder's signature explosive manner with loose brushstrokes and dramatic paint drips, in a bold palette of black and white against a red, black, and white background. A mesmerizing painting that conveys a deliciously macabre theme, "Quartz Mountain Skeleton" is among Scholder's visual commentaries on mortality and isolation, exuding an air of mystery, like the artist himself. Size: 30" L x 23" W (76.2 cm x 58.4 cm) Size of frame: 37.4" L x 30.8" W (95 cm x 78.2 cm)

Scholder lived with skulls and skeletons in his Scottsdale, Arizona adobe home, intentionally placing them in his garden, his library, and his porch - and much of his oeuvre featured homages to these bony beings like this composition. Of course, Scholder is also admired for his powerful depictions of Native Americans that depart from stereotypes. Interestingly, although Scholder was enrolled as a member of the Luiseno tribe, he oftentimes claimed that he was not actually Indian. Nevertheless, his art demonstrated a refreshing rejection of sentimental, romantic portrayals of indigenous peoples. In his words, "I have painted the Indian real, not red." He based his imagery on actual historical research. For example, Scholder revealed that his painting of a Native American wrapped in an American flag, an image that has become iconic, was based on "19th-century prison photographs of Indians dressed in surplus flags in lieu of their confiscated tribal regalia." In addition to the meaningful political messages of this art, Scholder's style, with its kinetic brushwork and vibrant colors, have truly set him apart. Various art historians have described Scholder's style as a fusion of Pop Art and Abstract Expressionism. Scholder, however, referred to himself an "American expressionist" who celebrated paint and what it can do. In his words, "Paint drips, it smears. It's not because I'm trying to fool anyone into thinking this is a three-dimensional object on a two-dimensional surface ..."

Provenance: ex-private Bishop Family Trust collection, the Trust of the late Bill Bishop, a noted antiquarian with shops in Scottsdale, Arizona and Allenspark, Colorado, USA, acquired before 2010

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#173008

Signed (scratched into the paint) by the artist on the upper left. Title, medium, and date are handwritten on the verso. This painting floats on a double matte, behind plexiglass, in a white-washed frame and has not been examined outside the frame; however, it appears to be in excellent condition. Frame has minor wear with some scuffs but is otherwise very good. Minor scuffs to the plexiglass. Wired for suspension and ready to display.