Taos Papa

Taos Papa, 1973, Oil Pastel by R.C. Gorman. In this modernist work, a Navajo man’s face is rendered in profile through or beside a large triangular white opening, creating a powerful composition of negative and positive space. Bold charcoal and earth-tone brushstrokes frame the face, while the white geometric void emphasizes the play of light. The face itself demonstrates Gorman’s masterful control of pastel, with subtly rendered features and expressive detail. The framing device creates architectural quality, suggesting both containment and revelation. This piece exemplifies Gorman’s willingness to experiment with modernist compositional strategies while maintaining his focus on the human figure. An important work for collectors of Gorman’s less typical compositions and oil pastel works.