Louis Fenno (Ute), Painting of Bear and Sun Dances, late 19th century. Paint on cloth; 69⅝ x 76⅞ in. Denver Art Museum: Gift of C. W. Douglas, 1932.242

frame height: 73 5/8 in, 187.0075 cm; frame width: 80 7/8 in, 205.4225 cm; image height: 69 5/8 in, 176.8475 cm; image width: 76 7/8 in, 195.2625 cm

Native Arts

Indigenous Arts of North America

This painting shows two important dances held yearly by the Ute people in southern Colorado and Utah. On the top is the Sun Dance held each July while below is a line of dancers from the spring Bear Dance. 

Louis Fenno is the artist who painted these scenes in great detail, from the items of clothing worn by the dancers to the construction of the brush enclosure. 

Gifted 1932 to the Denver Art Museum by C. W. Douglas