Maria Martinez: Pueblo Potter (Picture-Story Biographies) [Library Binding]

Peter Anderson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1992 | Age Level: 8 and up | Series: Picture-Story Biographies

Describes the life and accomplishments of the Pueblo Indian woman who made pottery in the traditional way of her people and achieved renown as an artist.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5-- Maria Martinez was a potter who accidentally discovered a technique to create black pottery that became famous worldwide. Until then, her light-colored pottery featured modern versions of ancient Anasazi Indian designs. Her husband experimented with decorations, and eventually was able to put his designs on the black pots, creating the famous "black-on-black" style for which Martinez is best known today. Although she died in 1980, the San Ildefonso Pueblo people she taught are still creating the unique style today. Abundantly illustrated with black-and-white photos of Martinez, her husband, and their pots, this book actually focuses more on the pottery than on its creators. Readers learn how the pots were created, fired, and painted, but little about the woman herself. --Lisa Mitten, University of Pittsburgh, PA
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Library Binding: 31 pages
• Publisher: Childrens Pr (October 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0516041843
• ISBN-13: 978-0516041841
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 8.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,784,162 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars --Interesting Story and Great Photographs--, February 26, 2003

By 

Judith Miller (Bluemont, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Maria Martinez: Pueblo Potter (Picture-Story Biographies) (Library Binding)

Maria Martinez was an Indian woman from the San Ildefonso Pueblo in New Mexico.The date of her birth is estimated to be between 1881 and 1887. She learned her skills as a potter when she was a child, but went on to perfect her work and become one of the most gifted of the Pueblo potters. Her "black-on-black" style pottery is world famous.

Not far away from the San Ildefonso Pueblo is an ancient village site where the Anasazi Indians had lived. Dr Edgar Lee Hewitt led an archaeological expedition to the Anasazi site in 1908. The archaeologists found caves with artwork on the walls and also discovered pieces of Anasazi pottery. Julian Martinez, Maria's husband was one of the local men to be employed working for the archaeologists on that site. He used his drawing skills to copy the Anasazi drawings. Dr. Hewitt asked if Maria could try to duplicate the ancient pottery and he enlisted the help of Julian to paint the Anasazi designs on her work. Over the years, Maria and Julian created a lot of beautiful pottery. After Julian died in 1943, other members of the family worked with Maria creating the beautiful pieces that are cherished today. Maria Martinez died in 1980.

There are some great photographs of Maria, Julian and other members of the Martinez family at work on their pottery. Maria received many honors and acclaim during her life. In 1934, Eleanor Roosevelt invited her to be her guest at the White House.