Object Details
Artist
Felipe Archuleta, born Santa Cruz, NM 1910-died Tesuque, NM 1991
Luce Center Label
Felipe Archuleta began by carving animals around his home in New Mexico such as rabbits, sheep, and burros. The more exotic animals came later and were inspired by images he saw in National Geographic magazine. (Nancy Schraffenberger, “A Natural Talent,” Guideposts, March 1987) Archuleta was both pleased and dismayed by the attention he received for his carvings. Although he enjoyed having his work praised, the growing orders for animals restricted the subject matter of his carvings and kept him working constantly. (Lynette I. Rhodes, American Folk Art From the Traditional to the Naïve, 1978)
Luce Object Quote
“I am not worthy to be a santero [carver of wooden saints]. So I will carve animals.” Felipe Archuleta, quoted in Chuck and Jan Rosenak, Museum of American Folk Art Encyclopedia, 1990
Credit Line
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment
Date
1974
Object number
1997.124.46A-B
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
Sculpture
Folk Art
Medium
house paint on cottonwood with rubber and grass
Dimensions
overall: 10 1/2 x 14 x 4 1/2 in. (26.7 x 35.6 x 11.4 cm.)
See more items in
Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection
Department
Painting and Sculpture
On View
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center, 3rd Floor, 27B
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center, 3rd Floor
Data Source
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Topic
Animal\squirrel
Object\fruit\apple
Link to Original Record
Record ID
saam_1997.124.46A-B