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Artist
Yousuf Karsh, 23 Dec 1908 - 13 Jul 2002
Sitter
R. C. Gorman, 26 Jul 1931 - 3 Nov 2005
Date
1989
Type
Photograph
Medium
Gelatin silver print
Dimensions
Image: 34.3 x 26.5 cm (13 1/2 x 10 7/16")
Sheet: 35.4 x 27.6 cm (13 15/16 x 10 7/8")
Mount: 40.7 x 33 cm (16 x 13")
Topic
Artwork\Sculpture
R. C. Gorman: Visual Arts\Artist
R. C. Gorman: Male
Portrait
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Estrellita Karsh in memory of Yousuf Karsh
The Navajo artist R. C. Gorman became well known, in great part, through works depicting American Indian women in colorful garb going about their daily lives, whether caring for children or posing in the southwestern landscape. Between 1951 and 1955 Gorman served in the U.S. Navy and then studied art and literature in college. He later traveled to Mexico, where he encountered paintings by Diego Rivera and José Clemente Orozco. “Overwhelmed” by their paintings and inspired by their work—“these were real people painting real people”—Gorman “started painting like a Mexican.” In 1968 he opened the first American Indian–owned art gallery in Taos, New Mexico, reinvigorating the city as an artistic hub. Gregarious by nature, Gorman befriended both Hollywood figures and government officials and drew attention not only to Taos, but also to New Mexican artists more broadly.
Nacido en Chinle, Arizona
El artista navajo R. C. Gorman se dio a conocer en gran medida por pinturas de mujeres indígenas de colorida vestimenta en escenas de su vida diaria, ya sea cuidando a sus hijos o posando en el paisaje del suroeste estadounidense. Entre 1951 y 1955, Gorman sirvió en la Marina de Estados Unidos y luego estudió arte y literatura en la universidad. En un viaje posterior a México conoció las pinturas de Diego Rivera y José Clemente Orozco. “Sobrecogido” e inspirado por estas obras —“era gente de verdad que pintaba a gente de verdad”—, Gorman empezó “a pintar como un mexicano”. En 1968 abrió la primera galería de propietario indígena en Taos, New Mexico, contribuyendo a revitalizar la ciudad como centro artístico. Gregario por naturaleza, Gorman entabló amistad lo mismo con figuras de Hollywood que funcionarios del gobierno, y promovió a artistas no solo de Taos sino de New Mexico en general.
