Couse was among American artists who formed an artist colony in Taos, New Mexico in the early 20th century. He reveled in the southwest landscape and hoped to create art sensitive to Native peoples of the area.
In this image, Couse painted his favorite Pueblo model, Ben Lujan, and Lujan's bride-to-be, Tonita. He depicts the courting couple wearing traditional Native dress, giving the painting a
more formal air. Ben Lujan became a close member of the Couse family and eventually adopted “Couse” as his middle name. Originally, this painting was a larger horizontal scene that showed more architecture on the left, however, it was cut down sometime after Couse first exhibited it in 1909.
May we all celebrate expressions of love and friendship this Valentine’s Day.
