Night of the Yei was created by R.C. Gorman in 1969. The original artwork is an oil-on-canvas painting, bringing together a closely gathered group of figures in a striking nighttime composition.
Against a deep, dark background, pale masks and feathered headdresses stand out above flowing garments and richly colored blankets. Purple, blue and green shapes fill the foreground, while vivid red and orange stripes create a lively rhythm across the scene. Rounded shoulders, simplified forms and contrasting colors give each figure a distinct presence within the group.
The work draws on Navajo Yei imagery and offers a compelling example of Gorman’s figurative painting. Its bold palette and close arrangement of figures reward both an immediate impression and a closer look at the relationships between color, shape and pattern.
