The following article on the exhibition of modern American Indian paintings at present on view at the Fogg, was written by a member of the museum staff.

At the Fogg Museum there is a unique exhibition of paintings done by the modern American Indian and lent by Miss M. C. Wheelwright, Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr., and Miss A. E. White. Most of the pictures come from the region around Santa Fe. There has been an attempt to have the Indian develop a distinct art of his own, based on the design and color of the older traditions. Most of these paintings portray various ceremonies of peace and war. However, many of the war dances are in reality peace dances performed in a religious spirit to celebrate the close of hostilities.

Of particular interest to the Indian were the summer and winter ceremonies, for his life was ordered to a great extent in conformity to the changing seasons. The beginning of the new year was the first day of Spring when the new life from Mother Earth commenced to manifest itself. Then was the time for the planting of seed for the food crops. All was accomplished by the dramatization of planting, germination, and growth.

One of the pictures in the present exhibition, called the "Corn Dance", is particularly fine in design. Here is represented an invocation to the deities that have given the corn, provided for its germination, and brought it to maturity. A complete discussion of the major Corn Dance would involve the entire subjects of religion, social organization, and symbolism. From a purely artistic stand-point, the corn ceremonials commend themselves to those who appreciate a beautiful performance.

In all of these pictures one is particularly impressed by the sureness of technique and the intense interest in color.

In addition to the Indian pictures, in the same room, there is a case of mortuary pottery, lent by the Peabody Museum. This pottery is prehistoric, having been discovered by the Mimbres Expedition sent out by the Peabody Museum from 1924 to 1927. These pieces were buried with the Indian. In each case a hole was knocked out of the bottom of the bowl, thus accounting for the popular term "killed pottery". In several examples the pieces have been found and reset in the bowl. This is the first time that any of the Mimbres Expedition pottery has been exhibited.