Julian Martinez

Native American, (1879–1943)

Julian Martinez was the patriarch of the famed San Ildefonso Pueblo Martinez family. While his wife María is seen as the primary force behind the family’s creative success in ceramics, Julian made important contributions to the development of María’s technique. In addition to his work in ceramics, Julian also painted scenes of Pueblo rituals in watercolor and murals at the Santa Fe Indian School. Beyond his career as an artist, Julian served as the governor of the San Ildefonso Pueblo.