William Henry Chandler

Early 20th Century Tonalist Pastel Landscape

c.1915

Boat at the Dock, Alviso Bay Area Tonalist Landscape Watercolor by Iku Nagai Lovely Tonalist watercolor landscape of Alviso, California by Iku K. Nagai (Japanese/American, b. 1932)....

Gorgeous late 19th century Tonalist landscape painting of foothills and oak trees in the style of Willard Leroy Metcalf circa 1900. Inscribed "M" in circle monogram lower left corner and on frame verso. Presented in original rustic giltwood frame. Image size: 6"H x 8"W. Framed size: 8.5"H x 10.5"W. Tonalist are usually intimate works, painted with a limited palette. Tonalist paintings are softly expressive, suggestive rather than detailed, often depicting the landscape at twilight or evening, when there is an absence of contrast. Tonalist paintings could also be figurative, but in them, the figure was usually out of doors or in an interior in a low-key setting with little detail. Tonalism had its origins in the works of the French Barbizon school and in the works of American painters who were influenced by them. California Tonalism was born when the emphasis in California landscape painting passed from the grand landscapes of works like those of Thomas Hill and William Keith's early career, to more intimate views of a domesticated landscape. At the same time, the parallel Pictorialist Photography...

"Houseboats in Moon Light", a rare early 20th century tonalist nocturnal harbor landscape scene at Greenbrae Boardwalk, San Rafael, California by Charles Rollo Peters (American, 1862-1928), 1912. Inscribed "Charles Rollo Peters Greenbrae, 1912" in the lower left corner. Presented in an antique giltwood frame. Image size: 19.5"H x 25.25"W (Note: the photos showing the inscribed signature have been adjusted to show contrast and the artists inscribed signature in other photos enhanced by acrylic over inscription in the oil paint for visibility). Although not noted on verso, the title is taken from two others done the same year at Greenbrae Boardwalk near San Rafael, California. Charles Rollo Peters (American, 1862-1928), called "The Poet of Night", is best known for his Tonalist landscapes, especially nocturnes, with much of his subject matter being scenes around his home in Monterey, California. James McNeill Whistler, who promoted the Tonalist aesthetic in Europe, was a major influence on his painting, and "is reported to have said that Peters was the only artist other than himself who could paint nocturnes." (Gerdts) As Peters matured, his life became increasingly tumultuous, but the one stable part of his existence was his painting. He continued to pour his emotions into his work, creating lonely, mysterious nocturnes with a palette of deep blues and blacks. The scenes were invariably dotted with a speck of light emanating from the moon or a lighted window. His landscapes usually displayed a more prominent sky view and often included a winding path or road trailing off in the distance. Peters was born in San Francisco in 1862 to a wealthy family, and in San Francisco attended Bates Private School for Boys and the City College, where his talent for sketching and painting became obvious and was encouraged. After graduation from the College, he spent time as a commercial artist, but this pursuit did not hold his interest. In the mid 1880s, he began to study privately with Jules Tavernier and also attended classes with Virgil Williams and Christian Jorgensen at the California School of Design. During this period, he painted Bay-Area scenery. In 1886, he began a four-year period of study and travel in Europe, enrolling in Paris at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts and the Academie Julian. His teachers were Jean-Leon Gerome and Fernand Cormon. In San Francisco, where he returned in 1890, he met and married Kathleen Mary Murphy, and the couple immediately departed for an extended trip to England and France. Peters painted the countryside and produced numerous landscape paintings, especially moonlit views of Brittany and Paris---his first nocturnes, encouraged by the aesthetic of Whistler, whose influence was pervasive in England and France. Upon his return to California about 1895, Peters held a large show in San Francisco and was able to sell many of his works. Soon after, he and his family relocated to Monterey, California where Peters became interested in California adobe ruins and missions as subjects for his paintings. Night paintings with rich blues highlighted by moon light became his signature work. Like most Tonalists, he painted in his studio. It was written of him that Monterey residents often saw him "wandering about in the semi-darkness, taking down notes here and there, studying the different phases of light, and creating a vivid mental picture of the scene he wished to paint." (Lowrey 158) In 1899, he made a tour with his collection of paintings through Chicago, Maine, Long Island, and New York City where he held a solo exhibition at the Union Club and received very favorable publicity. One reviewer of the Union Club work wrote: "The artist has studied the atmospheric effect of the night to good purpose, and in the representation of the silvery gray of moonlight he has arrived at singular proficiency." Peters returned to Monterey in 1900, and purchased thirty acres of land where he built an estate. He exhibited in the annual exhibitions of the San Francisco Art Association and the Bohemian Club. Along with William Keith, Xavier...

Autumnal San Francisco Cove and Surf with Whalers Shack circa 1900 Early California Tonalist painting of the San Francisco Coast and a Whalers Cabin. Possibly by D.A. Fisher (American, 1867-1940). Nocturnal paintings in the late 19th century were very popular in the United States. Condition is stellar and excellent with a period frame having a bit of age yellowing to the finish and the gold leaf filets are beaming. Image, 16"H x 22"D Frame, 22"H x 28"W x 2.5"D Fisher appears to have spent most of his career in Portland, Maine. He was an itinerant artist who painted in the San Francisco Bay area in 1891 and at Mount Shasta...

Early Tonalist Landscape -- California Coastal Live Oaks William Schneider 1915 Beautiful early 20th Century tonalist landscape of California by New York artist William G. Schneider ...

Gorgeous tonalist oil painting woman walking in field by pond with home in background by Willis Seaver Adams (American, 1844-1921), circa 1880. Trees and an amazing sky in the background add depth and interest to this beautiful piece. Signed "W. S. Adams" lower right corner. Condition: Previous restoration includes relining of canvas. Frame is vintage gilt molded and wood frame and shows previous repair of molding losses. Image size: 20"H x 24"W. Willis Seaver Adams was known for his landscapes of the Connecticut River Valley. A relative recluse for much of his artistic life, his loneliness can be seen in much of his works. Oil miniatures were the focus for almost all of his later works. He is credited with over 425 oils, watercolors, and drawings. Willis Seaver was born in 1844 on a farm in Suffield, near the Connecticut River. He intermittently attended the Suffield Academy, and always wanted to be a painter. A wealthy doctor became his patron, and financed his studies in 1868 at the Royal Academy in Antwerp. When the doctor passed away, Adams returned home and struggled to make a living painting. After working for a photographer for three years, he opened his own studio. Adams helped organize Clevelands first watercolor exhibit in 1876. Soon thereafter, he completed a portrait of Rutherford B. Hayes, then governor of Ohio, prior to his becoming President of the United States. This portrait enhanced Adams notoriety. In 1878, Adams traveled to Italy where he opened a studio in Venice, and became friendly with neighbor James Whistler. Prior to returning to Springfield, Adams lived in Florence, Italy for three years. He returned to became an instructor for the Springfield Art Association, and began to exhibit his works at the galleries of James D. Gill. His first one-man exhibit was held there in 1894. Other successful exhibitions took place in Chicago, New York, and Boston. Although his works garnered respectable prices and reflected his success, Adams felt he was due more recognition. In 1906, he moved to Greenfield, Massachusetts and converted a barn into a studio. There, he fell into relative obscurity, accompanied mainly by his dog, Collie. In 1921, Adams passed away. Examples of Willis Adams works can be seen at the Kent Memorial Library, the Wadsworth Atheneum, and the Suffield Academy. Several Suffield residents are thought to own Adams paintings.

A wonderful tonalist cityscape of New York City at night by American impressionist artist Frederick (Frank) Usher De Voll (1873-1941). De Voll was born i...

Johann Berthelsen and one of New York city’s best known artists along with Guy Wiggins, depicting the streets, parks and skyline of New York. When he first arrived in New York he ga...

It is only after we emerged from the horrible Pandemic, that we realized what a battle it was for simple daily living. Tom created The Battle a few years into the Pandemic. The pict...

Signed lower right: G. Inness

Signed lower left

Yellow Landscape/Wood Interior/Birch Forest 3 different titles on 3 labels DESCRIPTION Yellow Landscape oil /panel bears Florence G. Carlsen Estate stamp on Brett Mitchell Collecti...