Fritz William Scholder V (American/La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indian, 1937-2005). Gouache on paper painting depicting a portrait of a Native American man. Pencil signed along the upper right; numbered 3 in a circle along the upper left.

Provenance: The Elaine Horwitch Galleries, Santa Fe, New Mexico; Private Minnesota Collection.

Scholder spent much of his early life moving throughout the Midwest, living in Minnesota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. At seventeen, he attended the Mid-West Art and Music Camp at the University of Kansas where he studied with Robert B. Green. As a freshman at Wisconsin State University, he studied with Arthur Kruk, James Grittner, and Michael Gorski. In 1957 he followed his family to Sacramento, California where he studied with Wayne Thiebaud. He has met and worked with numerous designers and artists including Lloyd Kiva New, Charles Loloma, Max Cole, John Heric, and Bruce McGrew.

His works often show the harsh, realistic side of Native Americans' lives and deaths including the effects of alcohol. His unique experience as a figure who never lived on or around other Native Americans allowed for a fresh perspective on Native American art, though it was sometimes controversial. He fused together Expressionism, Color Field, and Pop art to convey his perspective on his subjects.
Sight; height: 30 1/4 in x width: 21 3/4 in. Framed; height: 38 in x width: 29 3/4 in. The colors are bold and bright. There are no major tears, losses, or restorations when inspected under UV light. There is undulation to the sheet throughout. There is a very light yet more noticeable undulation just to the right of the figure's face measuring approx. 1.5 inches. The artwork is floated in the frame; it appears to have come somewhat loose on the hinges. Light wear to the frame; framed under glass; not inspected out of frame.