Bronze Hound's Art Collection: Ralph Roybal (contemporary)

I bought this lovely bronze a couple years ago in an online auction. I remember that I got an exceptional deal on it, but the specifics have eluded my memory. I do know that it was the first bronze with a polychrome patina that I ever purchased. Not only is the sculpture highly detailed, but the patina is so carefully and specifically applied that it is even correct in places that a person would normally never see it or even look for it, but the coloration would be found if one were to look in those places on the models. I'm impressed!

Ralph Roybal hails from Albuquerque, New Mexico. He studied sculpture from the ground up, apprenticing for 15 years at the Santa Fe Foundry and Dell Weston Studios Foundry (I have one of Mr. Weston's sculptures as well, see the prior post on this piece). This sculpture predates the artist's transition to art as his full time profession in 1985, having been sculpted in 1983. As I understand it, Mr. Roybal performs every step of the creative process himself save the actual casting of the bronze, preferring to chase and patinate his sculptures personally. Now that is dedication!

The title of this wonderful bronze, "The Lost Apaches," is one I find a bit confusing given the subject matter. Depicted is an Indian in traditional Apache moccasins and loincloth, holding a stone tipped spear and staring down at a coffeepot which is sitting on a fire ring. I mean, is he lost? Is he looking at the coffeepot and reflecting on Apaches past? Is he a ghost of an Apache who is looking down on a coffeepot and wondering what the hell that thing is? Maybe he's supposed to be a "Lost Apache" coming out of the mountains of Old Mexico and encountering his first accoutrement of the white man. Or is this a statement on the addictive power of caffeine? Even the biggest, baddest, meanest warrior just doesn't feel awake and ready to go until after that first cup, after all. I just don't get the reference. Remove the title however and it goes back to being an interesting piece. Doesn't everyone wait for that first pot of coffee to finish brewing? I know I find myself in a similar position almost every morning.

Edit: During a very pleasant conversation with Mr. Roybal, he clarified the meaning behind the title for me. To paraphrase, this is one of the Apaches who chose to flee the armies of the US and Mexico into the mountains (Geronimo's band eluded not only capture but even discovery for several years, only surrendering because his men missed their families), so he could be considered one of the "Lost Apaches". This fellow has left the stronghold and come upon an abandoned army camp only to find a coffeepot that had been left behind, and is reflecting upon it. You can draw your own conclusions about what was going through his head. ;)

The sculpture is equally enjoyable from just about every angle, so I've chosen the front rather arbitrarily. Pardon the sketchy lighting - his face isn't really darker, it's just in shadow. Enjoy!