Maria: The Potter of San Idlefonso

By Alice Marriott

Book Overview

Volume 27 in the Civilization of the American Indian Series Mar?a: The Potter of San Ildefonso is the story of Mar?a Mart?nez and her husband, Juli?n, who revived the ancient Pueblo craft of pottery-making and stimulated interest in Southwestern Pueblo pottery among both white people and Indians. Mar?a Montoya Mart?nez, or Marie, as she sometimes signs her pottery, is a woman who has become in her own lifetime a legend. She lives in the pueblo of San Ildefonso, near Santa F?, New Mexico, and although her life has been, as closely as she could make it, the normal life of a woman of her culture, her unusual qualities have set her apart and gained her fame throughout the world. Through her mastery of pottery-making, Mar?a brought economic gain to her family and her village. However, distressing problems accompanied success and fame. Liquor ultimately wrecked Jul?an. There was dissension within the pueblo. And there was the succession of admiring white people who invaded her home and interrupted her work. Not least, in Mar?a view, was the departure of her own children from many Pueblo customs. Inextricably woven into the story of Mar?a is the story of the pottery of the Southwestern Pueblos, a native craft that has become a national art interest, including the development of the unique black-on-black ware by Juli?n, the first of which is reproduced among the illustrations. Margaret Lefranc's many accurate drawings of actual pieces of pottery provide an almost complete documentary history of the craft and show some of the finest examples of Mar?a's art. Her skilled pen has also interpreted faithfully the spirit of Mar?a, the Pueblo Indians, and the pottery. "Miss Marriott's literary style is superb. She has caught the beautiful, measured pace of Indian talk and, without seeming to make any conscious effort, has written Maria's story with simplicity and understanding as if Marie herself were living her life before you."-Will Davidson in the Chicago Sunday Tribune. ". . . a unique American biography and a unique story of the birth of an art."-Lewis Gannett in the New York Herald Tribune.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0806120487
• ISBN13: 9780806120485
• Release Date: September 1987
• Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press
• Length: 316 Pages
• Weight: 1.02 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.7" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Prepare to be Amazed

Prepare to be amazed at the creative storytelling incorporated into this early-life account of the legendary Maria Martinez. It is written in prose that seems to understand the mind of a Native American woman before our society sweeps her away into an unfamiliar and uncomfortable fame. I found it to be an essential ingredient in my research of this abundantly interesting life. Though the story ends long before Maria did, it's a must-read for the details that escape every other biographer of her. As a book reviewer, I'll be recommending this one to all my audiences.

Overwhelming account of history, art, and life.

Written by an anthropologist who tells Maria's story through short stories as told to her by Maria. This book begins with Maria's accounting of pueblo life during her childhood. You learn of her life with her artistic, but alcoholic, husband Julian. An interesting accounting of their work which earned world acclaim for the unique pottery they produced. This book is a window to a time long forgotten and into the soul of a creative artist. The community spirit of the pueblo is well described and inspiring. You can't put this down once you begin. It's a great read!