Martina Vigil Montoya
Martina Vigil Montoya (1856–1916) was a Native American ceramics painter from San Ildefonso Pueblo, New Mexico. She frequently collaborated with her husband and partner Florentino Montoya. They introduced new techniques and materials to other potters. Julian Martinez often copied their designs[1] and in 1895 Maria Martinez called Martina the finest contemporary potter.[2] They moved from San Ildefonso to Cochiti Pueblo, the birthplace of Martina's father, between 1902 and 1905. While the bentonite slip employed in Cochiti pottery gave it a soapy appearance, Southwestern ceramics expert Jonathan Batkin considers the Montoyas' work from this period to be stylistically San Ildefonso.[1] She's known for being the primary instructor of her niece Tonita Peña.
References
- Coe, Ralph T. (2003). The Responsive Eye: Ralph T. Coe and the Collecting of American Indian Art. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art. p. 266. ISBN 1-58839-085-3.
- Broder, Patricia Janis (2013). Earth Songs, Moon Dreams: Paintings by American Indian Women. New York: St. Martin's Press. p. 7. ISBN 1-4668-5972-5.
Further reading
- "Martina Vigil and Florentino Montoya: Master Potters of San Ildefonso and Cochiti Pueblos". American Indian Art Magazine. 12 (4): 28–37.
- Specimen in Fenimore Art Museum
- Polychrome wedding vessel at Adobe Gallery