Geometric Textile, c.1895
A remarkable collection of Navajo blankets and rugs once owned by Frank Stella will soon be unveiled in a special exhibition presented by Peter Pap Rugs at Arader Galleries. Running from May 15 through June 10, 2026, the presentation will feature 40 historic Navajo textiles gathered by the late artist over several decades.
Twill Saddleblanket, c.1900
Rather than assembling a textbook survey of Navajo weaving, Stella collected according to his own visual instincts. The textiles he gravitated toward are marked by bold color experimentation, striking horizontal compositions, and mesmerizing optical effects — qualities that echo the artist’s own lifelong fascination with abstraction and geometry.
Late Elaborated Serape/Eyedazzler/Germantown. Variant Textile, c.1885
The works date primarily from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a transformative period in Navajo weaving that saw expanded color palettes and increasingly complex designs. The exhibition also highlights the artistry and technical mastery of the Diné women who created the textiles, placing their innovations at the center of the presentation.
Germantown Textile, c. 1885
One especially notable piece in the collection is a large 19th-century blanket that previously appeared in the landmark 1972 exhibition The Navajo Blanket, organized by artist Tony Berlant and curator Mary Kahlenberg. The blanket, which continues an early banded design tradition associated with chiefs’ blankets, will now return to public view for the first time in decades.
Germantown Textile, c. 1885
The exhibition also presents a rare opportunity for collectors, as every textile in the show will be available for purchase. Prices range from $6,500 to $25,000, offering access to works with both historic importance and distinguished provenance from Stella’s personal collection.
Figurative Textile, Tsé Bit’a’í (Shiprock), ca. 1920
The collection will also be available for sale online through 1stDibs and Peter Pap Rugs beginning May 14th before traveling to Peter Pap Rugs’ gallery in Dublin, NH for an additional exhibition from June 20 through July 7, 2026.
Peter Pap Rugs at Arader Galleries is Located at 29 East 72nd Street (at Madison Avenue), New York, NY.