Norval Morrisseau

Accompanied by original Pollock Gallery Limited bill of sale.

Central to the traditional worldview held by the Anishinaabeg, is the notion of an environment stratified into cosmological layers, ruled by powerful opposing beings. The upper sky realm was the domain of the warring Thunderbirds, and the lower underworld realm, that of horned serpents and Mishipeshu (sometimes called the Underwater Lynx or Panther). Although sought out as sources of medicine, underworld beings were often associated with danger and sometimes themselves were said to be harmful, kept at bay by the intervention of protecting Thunderbirds.

Varied depictions of Thunderbirds were central to the artist’s production throughout his career, and Morisseau himself adopted the name Copper Thunderbird, translated as Miskwaabik Animiiki or Osawah Bego Binesa, which he is said to have received in a healing ceremony in 1950.

We are pleased to present two examples of the artist’s interpretation of the subject in this auction, one Thunderbird from 1960-62 (lot 150), and the present example The Protector from 1979.