Storyteller with Twenty Figures

Helen Cordero, Storyteller with Twenty Figures, ca. 1985, fired clay with slip and beeweed, 11 187 7811 in. (28.320.027.9 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase made possible by Mrs. Gibson Fahnestock, 1997.124.148

Artwork Details

Title
Storyteller with Twenty Figures
Date
ca. 1985
Dimensions
11 187 7811 in. (28.320.027.9 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase made possible by Mrs. Gibson Fahnestock
Mediums Description
fired clay with slip and beeweed
Classifications
Subjects
  • Figure group
  • Performing arts — music — voice
  • Recreation — leisure — storytelling
Object Number
1997.124.148

Artwork Description

Born into the Fox clan, Cochiti Pueblo, in New Mexico, Helen Cordero is best remembered for her clay storytellers. In Pueblo lore, storytellers represent the power of story and tradition. Cordero's figures always have closed eyes and open mouths, as if they are singing traditional Cochiti songs. She carved small figures of children climbing around the storytellers, clinging to their clothing and listening intently to show the importance of passing down Cochiti customs to the next generation. (Rosenak, Museum of American Folk Art Encyclopedia, 1990)

Works by this artist (7 items)

I. Rice Pereira, Roselit Day, 1953, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Leslie Bokor, 1973.190
Roselit Day
Date1953
oil on canvas
On view
I. Rice Pereira, Untitled (Boats at Cape Cod), 1932, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Djelloul Marbrook, 1988.80
Untitled (Boats at Cape Cod)
Date1932
oil on canvas
Not on view
I. Rice Pereira, Sketch for Machine Composition #2, ca. 1936, pencil and crayon on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Patricia and Phillip Frost, 1986.92.73
Sketch for Machine Composition #2
Dateca. 1936
pencil and crayon on paper
Not on view

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gelatin silver print
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gelatin silver print
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Eugene Von Bruenchenhein, Untitled, ca. 1945-1950, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Lewis and Jean Greenblatt, 2002.86.9
Untitled
Dateca. 1945-1950
gelatin silver print
Not on view