Plate 42: Painted Chest Design: From Portfolio "Spanish Colonial Designs of New Mexico"

American 20th Century

National Gallery of Art

This is a painting of stylized figures and a horse set in a decorative frame. The artwork features a central scene with three figures depicted in a folk art style. On the left, a person is seated on a black horse adorned with a red saddle. In the middle, a person is dressed in a gray skirt with arms gracefully positioned. On the right, another person appears to be moving or dancing, wearing a yellow and brown outfit. The background is textured with swirling pink designs. Surrounding the central scene are borders filled with floral patterns, with prominent blue and white flowers and leafy motifs against a maroon background. The entire composition is framed in an ornate fashion with additional floral elements.