Woody Crumbo Serigraph “Family of Three Deer” — Original Silkscreen

A vivid serigraph by Woody Crumbo (1912–1989), one of the most celebrated Native American artists of the 20th century. This work portrays a majestic blue buck with tall antlers, accompanied by a doe and a young spotted fawn, rendered in Crumbo’s signature flowing lines and dreamlike palette. The layered use of screens lends the antlers a striking dimensionality, while the deer’s blue tonality creates both a realistic and visionary presence. The artist's name “Crumbo” appears in the lower right.

Crumbo, a Potawatomi painter, printmaker, and museum curator, was a pioneer in bringing Native art to the wider public. His silkscreens often employed more than a dozen color passes to achieve depth and vibrancy, resulting in works that are both accessible and highly collectible. This composition, sometimes referred to as Family of Three Deer, remains one of his most admired wildlife themes.

Condition:

Good overall condition. No damage noted to the print. Colors remain vibrant and clean. Presented matted and framed behind glass; the frame and mat show only minimal wear appropriate to age.

Dimensions:

Overall (frame): 23 x 19 inches
Visible image: 16 x 12 inches

Artist Biography: Woody Crumbo (1912–1989)

Woodrow Wilson “Woody” Crumbo was a Potawatomi artist, dancer, and cultural ambassador whose career spanned painting, printmaking, music, and museum curation. Orphaned at an early age, he was raised among Potawatomi, Creek, and Sioux families, experiences that shaped his artistic vision. Crumbo studied under Oscar Jacobson at the University of Oklahoma, and later directed the art program at Bacone College, mentoring future Native artists.

Internationally recognized both as a Native dancer and painter, Crumbo was one of the first Native artists to embrace serigraphy, creating prints that brought Indigenous imagery to a wider audience without compromising quality. He later served as curator of the Gilcrease Museum and the El Paso Museum of Art, advancing recognition of Native art in major institutions. Today, his works reside in the Smithsonian, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and other esteemed collections. Known for bold colors, spiritual symbolism, and flowing line work, Crumbo is celebrated as a leading figure in 20th-century Native American art.