Three Women in a Desert Landscape (Possibly monument valley)
Limited edition print (lithograph or serigraph) on paper • R.C. Gorman (Rudolph Carl Gorman, 1931-2005)
Style & Movement
Contemporary Native American Art / Southwest Modernism
Medium & Technique
Lithography or silkscreen; characterized by smooth color gradations, stylized linework, and flat planes of color
Creation Period
Late 20th Century, circa 1980-1995
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 30 x 40 inches (image size); horizontal landscape orientation framed under glass.
Subject Description
Three seated Indigenous women wrapped in blankets looking toward a vast desert landscape featuring sandstone buttes. The composition utilizes minimalist forms and a vibrant blue-to-peach gradient sky, typical of Gorman's depictions of Navajo life and maternal figures.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good; visible reflections suggest glass glazing is present, artwork appears flat with no immediate signs of waviness or moisture damage.
Estimated Market Value
$1,500 - $3,500 USD (depending on edition size and signature verification)
Auction Estimate
$800 - $1,200 USD
Provenance History
Likely purchased from a commercial gallery in the Southwest United States (e.g., Scottsdale or Taos) during the late 20th century; private collection.
Art Historical Significance
R.C. Gorman is often referred to as 'The Picasso of American Indian Art.' This work is representative of his role in modernizing Indigenous portraiture, moving away from ethnographic realism toward a lyrical, abstract aesthetic that popularized Native American art in mainstream 1980s culture.
Notable Features
Features Gorman’s signature fluid, continuous lines; the use of 'monumental' figures that echo the shapes of the natural rock formations in the background; likely hand-signed and numbered in the lower margin.
Condition Issues
Slight potential for light-fading (UV damage) given the color palette; possible minor yellowing of the mat board if non-archival materials were used in original framing.
Conservation Recommendations
Ensure the use of UV-filtering museum glass; check if the mounting is acid-free to prevent foxing; keep away from direct sunlight and fluctuating humidity.