Apache Puberty Ceremony - Mescalero, 1946
Ira Moskowitz (American, born Poland, born 1912)
lithograph, 11 x 14 7/8 in. (27.9 x 37.8 cm)
Gift of Museum of New Mexico Foundation, 1966
2127.23G
Ira Moskowitz was born in Galicia, Poland, immigrating with his family to New York in 1927. He enrolled at the Art Student's League and studied there from 1928-31. After travel back and forth to Europe and marrying in 1938, he visited Taos and Santa Fe, returning there for extended periods until moving there in 1943, becoming an active member of the Taos-Santa Fe artists group. His 1949 book, Patterns and Ceremonials of the Indians of the Southwest, reflects his excellent draughtsmanship in the classical tradition. Moskowitz’ subject matter takes its shape from the life that he sees around him—natural forms, the human figure, landscapes, and people at their daily tasks.