Harold Reed Gallery, New York; Acquired by the present owner from the above.

Fritz Scholder (American, 1937-2005) Indian Sitting on Bed, 1974 Acrylic and oil on canvas 80 x 68 inches (203.2 x 172.7 cm) Signed upper left: Scholder Signed, titled, and inscribed on the stretcher: Indian Sitting on Bed 1974 oil/acrylic on canvas / Scholder - Arizona From an Important Okanagan Collection PROVENANCE: Harold Reed Gallery, New York; Private collection, acquired from the above. Born in 1937 in Breckenridge, Minnesota, Scholder was of Luiseño heritage and grew up in a family that encouraged creativity and education. He studied at the Sacramento State College under the artist Wayne Thiebaud, whose influence helped shape Scholder's bold use of color and expressive painting style. In the 1960s, Scholder moved to New Mexico to teach at the newly established Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, where he became one of the most influential Native artists of his generation. Although he initially resisted being labeled as a "Native American artist," his work transformed the way Indigenous subjects were represented in contemporary art. Rather than presenting Native people through romanticized myths or historical fantasy, Scholder painted Native subjects as modern individuals living in the contemporary world. His work offered a more honest and human perspective, allowing Native voices to be seen with dignity, complexity, and authenticity. Indian Sitting on Bed, 1974, is a monumental work that represents an important turning point in the history of Native American art and proves how Scholder reshaped the representation of Indigenous peoples in American art. Here, a man is seated on his bed in blue jeans holding a cup of coffee within a quiet interior space. At first glance, the composition appears simple, but Scholder's expressive style gives the work emotional depth and individuality. The figure is not dressed in ceremonial clothing or placed within a dramatic Western landscape. Instead, the subject exists in an ordinary setting, which emphasizes the reality of everyday life. By removing romantic stereotypes, Scholder encouraged viewers to recognize Native Americans as contemporary people rather than symbols of the past. One of Scholder's greatest achievements was his willingness to challenge expectations surrounding Native American art. For many years, Native people had often been portrayed by non-Native artists as tragic figures of the past or as romantic icons disconnected from modern society. Scholder rejected these narrow depictions. He believed Native identity could not be reduced to stereotypes, and his work opened the door for more truthful and varied representations. In Indian Sitting on Bed, 1974 the subject's quiet presence becomes powerful because it refuses to indulge in artificial drama or fantasy. The painting values honesty over nostalgia. Scholder's bold application of paint creates movement and depth within the composition. The palette is vibrant and confident, drawing attention to the subject's humanity and emotional presence. Scholder was influenced by Abstract Expressionism, and his energetic painting style allows the work to feel immediate and personal. The subject is not distant or idealized. Instead, the viewer encounters an individual with thoughts, emotions, and lived experience. The cultural importance of Scholder's work became especially clear during the 1970s, a period when Native American artists and activists were demanding greater visibility and self-representation. Scholder's paintings offered viewers a contemporary lens on Indigenous identity. Rather than focusing on loss or disappearance, his work emphasized survival, individuality, and modern experience. Indian Sitting on Bed, 1974 remains significant because it demonstrates how art can challenge stereotypes while still creating an emotional connection. Scholder's painting respects the complexity of Native life without reducing it to simplified symbols. His approach was groundbreaking because it allowed Native subjects to exist as real people with depth and presence. Through his fearless and innovative style, Fritz Scholder helped expand the possibilities of Native American art and created space for future generations of Indigenous artists to tell their own stories with honesty and confidence. HID12401132022 © 2026 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved www.HA.com/TexasAuctioneerLicenseNotice

Not framed. Faint stretcher bar lines visible. Small 2 inch spot of surface soiling near figure's knee at right. A few minor scuffs throughout; and a few minor pin dots of loss above the figure's hat.