John Young-Hunter And
“Woman With The Red Parasol”

By Rebekah Powers | March 2023

Taos, New Mexico is a small remote mountain town with an international history. Transformed from its humble origins into an important art center in early 20th century, John Young-Hunter was one of the artists to whom Taos beckoned. Born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1874, he would die in Taos in 1955 and the intervening years would see him sacrifice of a life of wealth and privilege to enter a completely different life of adventure, novelty and discovery that he would find in the American West.

John Young-Hunter was educated with the best, studying at the Royal Academy under both John Singer Sargent (a personal friend of the family) and Lawrence Alma Tadema. Because of his societal position and great ability, he began his career painting glamorous portraits of family friends and other very important people. But in 1912 his life was to take an unexpected turn when he met the famed Western painter, Charles M. Russell. Until then, Hunter’s only knowledge of the American West was a performance of “Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show” that he had seen as a child in London and never forgotten. But after meeting Russell, his imagination piqued, John Young-Hunter soon booked passage to America to pursue his painting passion there.

He visited the Crow Reservation first, then traveled extensively throughout the United States familiarizing himself with the Native American cultures and peoples. As he learned more, met with other artists and began his new body of work, his previous life was completely subsumed by his new one.

Young-Hunter arrived in Santa Fe and journeyed to Taos and in Taos he found his forever home in 1942, with the assistance of Mabel Dodge Luhan and the camaraderie of the Taos Six who founded the Taos Society of Artists. His family settled on the east edge of Taos where he set up his painting studio. Indeed, it was John Young-Hunter who suggested that Nicolai Fechin, the Russian artist, move to Taos to experience the “real” America. Fechin took his advice and once in Taos, Fechin was not known to socialize much with the other artists, but made an exception for his friend John Young-Hunter. Hunter continued painting Native American scenes, landscapes and still lifes until his death in 1955.

Chimayo Trading is pleased to announce a new acquisition by John Young-Hunter titled “Woman With The Red Parasol”, a painting that expresses a tender romanticism, and the artists’ masterful way with color. The painting was completed in London in 1911 and brought by the artist when he moved to America. Viewing this work is a look back in time through the eyes of an artist who would become one of the defining characters in the deep and wide history of art in New Mexico. Our collectible painting collection continues to evolve, and this delightful painting is on view now in Ranchos de Taos at Chimayo Trading. Our gallery is a collection of Time made visible. Wander through the many adobe rooms and see what catches your eye.
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#1 Saint Francis Church Plaza
Ranchos de Taos, NM 87557

575.758.0504

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Contact us directly to discuss and evaluate your collection. If you’re an artist, contact us about the possibility of selling your art on consignment or direct wholesale purchase.

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