1959 Andrew William Vachon s.j. "The Salmon Woman" Oil Canvas Impasto Painting

Details

Description

Andrew William Vachon, S.J. (American, 1910-1979)
“The Salmon Woman” – September 1959
Original Heavy Impasto Oil on Canvas
24” x … Read more Andrew William Vachon, S.J. (American, 1910-1979)
“The Salmon Woman” – September 1959
Original Heavy Impasto Oil on Canvas
24” x 20” (Unframed)

Remarkable original oil on canvas by acclaimed artist and Jesuit priest Andrew William Vachon, S.J., painted in September 1959 during his celebrated Alaska period. Titled “The Salmon Woman,” the work depicts a Native Alaskan Salmon Woman Totem Pole, an important cultural and spiritual symbol among the Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast.

The Salmon Woman is a revered figure in traditional Native mythology, representing abundance, renewal, and the life-sustaining relationship between people and the annual return of the salmon. Vachon captures the powerful presence of the carved totem through his distinctive heavy impasto technique, transforming the surface into a richly textured, almost sculptural composition.

Executed with thick applications of oil paint and expressive palette-knife work, the painting displays extraordinary depth and movement. Layers of richly colored paint create dramatic textures that emphasize the weathered character of the totem pole while conveying its enduring spiritual significance. The vibrant interplay of color and texture reflects Vachon’s unique artistic vision and his deep appreciation for Alaska’s natural beauty and Indigenous cultural heritage.

Works from Vachon’s Alaska years are particularly sought after for their combination of regional subject matter, expressive modernist style, and masterful impasto technique. This painting is an outstanding example of the artist’s ability to blend cultural history, symbolism, and painterly innovation into a compelling visual statement.

Condition:

Very good original condition. Unframed. The canvas retains its original heavy impasto surface with no apparent repairs or restoration observed. Minor age-related wear consistent with age. Please review all photographs carefully, as they are part of the description.

Dimensions:

• Canvas: 24” x 20”
• Unframed

A striking and highly tactile original work by Andrew William Vachon, depicting the iconic Salmon Woman Totem Pole and representing an exceptional example of mid-century Alaskan-inspired American art.

Artist Biography – Andrew William Vachon

Andrew William Vachon (1910–1979) was an American Jesuit priest, artist, and educator whose work bridged spirituality, philosophy, and visual art. He pursued his academic studies at Gonzaga University, earning both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in philosophy in the mid-1930s.

Vachon later returned to Gonzaga in 1965, where he taught photography and served as the university’s artist-in-residence. Over the course of his career, he produced a diverse body of work including paintings, drawings, and prints, often inspired by landscape, memory, and theological reflection.

His artistic style is characterized by a deeply personal and “visionary” approach, blending observed reality with imaginative interpretation. His works frequently explore themes of place, spirituality, and the presence of the divine in everyday environments.

Vachon remained active as both an artist and educator until his death on June 1, 1979, at Gonzaga University. His legacy includes decades of creative output and a lasting influence within the Jesuit and Pacific Northwest artistic communities.

Andrew William Vachon’s work was notably exhibited in the “Vivid in My Mind” show at the Jundt Art Museum at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, from September to December 2015. The exhibition featured about 70 paintings and drawings spanning four decades of his career. Additionally, some of his prints are held in the Whitman College and Northwest Archives in Walla Walla, Washington, and one of his oil paintings is in the collection of the Ketchikan Museums in Alaska. See less