30″ x 40″
Charcoal Drawing on Gesso Hardboard
In his charcoal drawing CAPTAIN PABLO DE MELGOSA AND JUAN GALERAS: PLANNING DESCENT- GRAND CANYON 1540, Curt drew his models standing at the edge overlooking Grand Canyon near Lipan Point. Captain Melgosa is wearing a Morion style helmet and breast plate and Jaun Galeras has a rope over his shoulder anticipating a difficult route to the river.
In 1539, Friar Marcos de Niza, a Franciscan priest, had reported to Spanish colonial officials in Mexico City that he’d seen the legendary seven cities of Cibola far to the north of Mexico. In 1540, Antonio de Mendoza, the first Viceroy of New Spain, appointed Francisco Vázquez de Coronado to lead an expedition north to explore and conquer the region.
To read the full story behind this painting, please read the article by clicking here.