#mariamartinez

Jar with Feather Motif, Maria Martinez, 1956, Art Institute of Chicago: Arts of the Americas

San Ildefonso pottery Maria Martinez accommodated the tastes of the wealthy collectors and tourists in new productions based on traditional methods and forms, but also contemporary in appearance. Her distinctive black pots, which resulted from experiments with firigin and glazes, attracted many collectors, and soon she and her husband, Julian, produced the famous black-on-black ware almost exclusively.— Revised from J. Barter, Window on the West (2003), pg. 129 Gift of Edward H. Weiss Size: 22.9 x 22.9 cm (9 x 9 in.) (at widest point) Medium: Ceramic and pigment

Vessel, Maria Martinez, early 20th century, Minneapolis Institute of Art: Art of Africa and the Americas

bowl, ceramic-blackware, American Indian (Martinez); bowl, clay, polished blackware, avanyu or water serpent pattern Maria Martinez is one of the most renowned Pueblo potters. She and her husband Julian invented the black-on-black firing technique, which creates contrasting matte and shiny dark surfaces. It is used to great effect on this vessel, highlighting the dramatic effect of the painted design. The couple worked as a team, with Maria building, shaping and polishing the pots, and Julian painting the surface. This design is called Avanyu, and represents a water serpent, an image that Julian adapted from ancient sources and used frequently. Water is precious in the desert and imagery associated with it carries power. Size: 6 1/4 x 8 x 8 in. (15.88 x 20.32 x 20.32 cm) Medium: Ceramic

Circular Shallow Bowl, Maria Martinez, ca. 1943, Brooklyn Museum: Arts of the Americas

Platter-shaped bowl with highly polished black on black circular feather design radiating from the center and framed with four black lines. Condition: good. Size: 2 3/8 x 13 1/4 in. (6 x 33.7 cm) Medium: Clay, slip