Artist Maria Martinez (American, 1887–1980)
Artist Popovi Da (American, 1922 - 1971)
Culture Pueblo
Culture Tewa
Culture San Ildefonso Pueblo
Title Tray with Feather Motif
Date March 1966
Medium Clay
Dimensions Object: 1 3/16 × 6 13/16 in. (3 × 17.3 cm)
Overall: 1 3/16 x 6 13/16 in. (3 x 17.3 cm)
Credit Line Gift of Helen L. Enslow in honor of the Enslow Granddaughters, Sarah, Rachel and Ruth, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University
Accession Number 2011.275
About this Work
Maria Martinez is well known for her partnership with her husband Julian. After his death she also worked with her daughter-in-law Santana and later with her son Popovi Da.
Maria Martinez's pottery is often dated in part by the signature. While early works by Maria and Julian are unsigned, she was one of the first Native American artists to add a signature. This addition was done to appeal to non-Native collectors who expected “real artists” to sign their work. Her earliest signature dating to the early 1920s is “Marie,” a name that was meant to be more familiar and appealing to non-Native collectors.
Julian’s name was not added at first as pottery was considered a female art form. This changed in the late 1920s when both of their names appeared on works. After around 30 years of signing “Marie,” Maria began signing her own name. When Maria began working with Santana her name was added to the signature as was also done with her son Popovi Da. Interestingly, Popovi Da also began dating the objects, which is where the date of March 1966 comes from for this tray.
