Apache Scout (or Apache Hunter)
Original painting on paper or board • Ettore 'Ted' DeGrazia (1909–1982)
Style & Movement
Southwestern Impressionism / Mid-Century Modern Western Art
Medium & Technique
Acrylic or gouache with possible oil pastel accents; uses expressive brushwork and palette knife application with characteristic high-contrast layering
Creation Period
Circa 1960s-1970s
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12 x 20 inches (visual estimate); vertical portrait format
Subject Description
A stylized depiction of an Apache male figure standing in a vibrant yellow 'ahura' or glow. The subject wears traditional boots, a white tunic, and a red headband, holding a rifle. The features are obscured in a signature 'faceless' style which the artist used to represent the universal spirit of the Indigenous people of the Southwest.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good condition; colors remain vibrant, though the support shows some signs of edge wear and tape residue on the surrounding mount
Estimated Market Value
$2,500 - $4,500 USD
Auction Estimate
$1,500 - $3,000 USD
Provenance History
The signature 'DeGrazia' in the lower right is consistent with works sold through the Gallery in the Sun in Tucson, Arizona. Likely acquired by a private collector in the Southwestern United States during the mid-to-late 20th century.
Art Historical Significance
Ted DeGrazia was one of the most commercially successful and iconic artists of the American Southwest. His work bridged the gap between folk art and fine art, heavily influenced by his time studying under Diego Rivera and Jose Clemente Orozco. This specific piece represents his more mature, dramatic style focusing on the Apache people, a subject he treated with significant reverence.
Notable Features
Features the artist's highly recognizable cursive signature in the lower right; the 'halo' or luminous background is a specific stylistic hallmark used by DeGrazia to denote the sanctity of his subjects.
Condition Issues
Visible tape residue on the white border/mount; slight yellowing of the outer paper margin; minor scuffing potentially present on the paint surface near the figure's feet.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional archival matting to hide tape residue and acidic borders; UV-protective glazing; maintain in a climate-controlled environment away from direct sunlight to prevent further fading of the yellow pigments.
Collector Notes
Apache hunter