A Navajo medicine man, to aid in recalling all the different paintings, would often refer to these pre-painted drawings on muslin as memory aids. These drawings are called “picture writing” by the Navajo. 

They are always incomplete in some form because of the Navajo’s long held taboo against recording these symbols in any permanent manner but do incorporate the symbols and images that appear in the sand paintings. They are also painted with the same earthen pigments that are used in the sand paintings. 

Archivally mounted and hand sewn onto linen liner in UV Plexiglas over solid doweled maple frame. Pristine condition.