Parasol

Parasol, 1983, R.C. Gorman lithograph, captures two Navajo women sharing shelter beneath a striking magenta parasol in the expansive high desert landscape. Both women wear traditional striped blankets and wraps in complementary warm and cool tones, their bodies close in companionship. Their figures are rendered against the vast, undulating earth in warm peachy tones, while the distant mesas layer the background in soft blues and purples beneath a brilliant turquoise sky. The whimsical yet poignant image speaks to resilience, friendship, and the human capacity to find grace even in harsh environments. Gorman’s masterful color palette—the magenta parasol punctuating the landscape—transforms an everyday object into a symbol of hope. A beloved composition cherished by collectors worldwide.