Artwork of the Week: December 23
Maynard Dixon and his family spent Christmas of 1931 in Taos, New Mexico. As a prominent painter of the American Southwest, Dixon took particular interest in the religious devotion of native communities. This work continues the rich tradition of celebrating the distinctive qualities of the American landscape with its focus on a New Mexican town and its inhabitants.
In Christmas Eve Procession, Dixon presents a scene of both reverence and mystery. Torch light emphasizes the shadowy mass of gathered figures, a mix of Hispanic Christians and Native Puebloans who are immersed in a local Christmas Eve tradition. While not depicted in Dixon’s painting, this procession would have prominently featured a statue of the Virgin Mary that was carried through the plaza before returning to the local church.
On this Christmas night, silhouetted figures are huddled together for warmth, while firelight illuminates the Pueblo’s walls and surrounding snow. Although the artist painted this scene from a removed perspective, a sense of intimacy is evoked through the group’s proximity with one another. Dixon’s portrayal of devotion showcases a unified body where worshippers come together to celebrate family, community, and the birth of Christ.
