Howard A. TERPNING
1927, USA

"Fred Myers, the late director of the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, once said of Howard Terpning "I have no doubt that Howard's work will be appreciated a hundred years from now just as much as it is today." Plunder from Sonora, Terpning's masterful depiction of three Apache warriors returning from a Mexican raid amply illustrates the validity of Myers' observation. In terms of composition, use of color, and the expert handling of tone and shading, the painting shows Terpning's consummate skill as a painter. Here he has perfectly captured the landscape, the confirmation of the horses, and the subtle nuances of human movement. Terpning has said that he wants to give the viewers of his paintings a "sense of being there;" a visceral feel for the land depicted and the time portrayed. Certainly he has succeeded with this canvas; the southwestern landscape with its golds and browns, the texture of the brittle grass and shrubs, even the dust of the trail are so deftly captured that the viewer has a feeling of witnessing the procession first hand as it quietly passes.

Although much of his work has been devoted to telling the history of Northern Plains tribes, Terpning shows here that he is a master at capturing the details of Southern Plains people as well. The details of clothing and weapons, the realistic portrayal of the warrior's physiques, and the manner in which the horses have been packed, all show that Terpning is not only a great artist, but also a dedicated student of history.

As he has done in preparation for countless other paintings, Terpning immersed himself in the history of the American Indians and uses that knowledge to tell their story. Of this painting, he said, " Although the Apaches lived primarily in Arizona and New Mexico, they ranged easily into the Sierra Madre Mountains of Mexico and considered Sonora and Chihuahua their own province. To them, both Americans and Mexicans were foreign invaders deserving of no quarter and as a general rule the Apaches offered none. This painting depicts an Apache raiding party on its return from an excursion into Sonora, bringing home about as much loot as they could pack onto their horses."

Terpning used his knowledge of the Apache to craft a visual narrative, to tell a story that sheds light on real people at a real time in their history. He used his talent as a painter to bring that story to life. As Myers said, that talent will be on display and greatly appreciated for many years to come.

Over a career spanning thirty-five years, Terpning has become one of the most celebrated contemporary artists in the western genre. His talent has been recognized by collectors, his fellow artists, museum curators, and most importantly in his eyes, by Native Americans who see in him an ambassador for the preservation of their history. Plunder from Sonora is the culmination of Terpning's skill as a painter, as a storyteller, and as a champion of Native American history."

Source: http://fineart.ha.com/