Meet Nvorczk: Maynard Dixon's Alter Ego

"Do I contradict myself? Very well, then I contradict myself, 
​I am large, I contain multitudes."  ​-Walt Whitman, Song of Myself

The Nvorczk series is one of the most puzzling in the history of American Art. It appears to be the work of a Russian expressionist named Nvorczk when in reality the artist responsible for these images was America's own Maynard Dixon. ​

MAYNARD DIXON (1875-1947)

Maynard Dixon is one of the Southwest's most celebrated artists.  His career overlapped many significant developments in the history of modern art. Many qualities of these modern movements show through in his work as it evolved over the course of his career.

Dixon painted around 60 of these mysterious images between 1917 and 1934, but never showed them to anyone. Susan Bingham, cofounder of the Thunderbird Foundation and friend of Dixon's widow, Edith Hamblin, says, "The abstract paintings Dixon produced with the signature Nvorczk were never meant to see the light of day. They were an expression of a time when Dixon was experiencing depression and difficult personal times, the reason he never signed his own name. After Edith Hamlin Dixon's death these pieces were discovered and offered in the public marketplace through a family member."

Dixon is famous for his tranquil paintings of the people and landscape of the American Southwest. This series flies in direct contrast to Dixon's familiar style and subject matter; it shows just how complex the man really was.  Below are paintings more typical of Dixon's style. ​

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To learn about the Nvorczk series go to nvorczk.com

Maynard Dixon Country, an annual gathering of artists, collectors, community, and friends who love art and the world of Maynard Dixon, will be held August 21-23 2015.  Go to thunderbirdfoundation.org for more information.