This is a beautiful and important Antique Old Early California Plein Air Landscape Oil Painting on canvas, laid on board, by esteemed San Francisco, California Impressionist painter, Alphonse Sondag (1873 - 1971.) This work depicts a Northern California wilderness scene, with tall pine trees, a flowing creek, and a small cabin in the distance. This artwork is rendered with delicate brush strokes and a broad color pallet, which Sondag is regionally famous for utilizing. Signed: "A. Sondag" in the lower left corner. This artwork likely dates to the 1940's. This small gem is approximately 11 1/4 x 13 1/4 inches (including frame.) Actual visible artwork is approximately 8 x 10 inches. Very good condition for age, with some light scuffing and edge wear to the frame (please see photos.) Acquired in Los Angeles County, California. If you like what you see, I encourage you to make an Offer. Sondag's original paintings are held by the California Department of Parks & Recreation, on public display at the Kenwood Community Church, and in various public locations and private collections across the land. Priced to Sell. Please check out my other listings for more wonderful and unique artworks!
About the Artist:
Born: 1873 - Paris, FranceDied: 1971 - Santa Rosa, California
Known for: Landscape-mission, figure
Alphonse Emile Sondag (1873 - 1971) was active/lived in California. Alphonse Sondag is known for Landscape-mission, figure.
Painter, muralist, sculptor. Born in Paris, France on Dec. 18, 1873.
Sondag came to San Francisco when he was a child and grew up there. At age 17 he returned to Paris to study at Ecole des Beaux Arts for three years followed by a year in Spain on a scholarship. Returning to San Francisco in 1896, he continued his studies at the Mark Hopkins Institute. At the turn of the century he lived in Honolulu for a few years where he painted many scenes of the islands. Sondag had a studio in San Francisco before serving in WWI. He returned with paintings of many noted military figures and landscapes of French and Belgian villages. In the post-war years he was an active member of the San Francisco art colony. For a few years he was staff artist for the National Park Service. His four large murals of historical events of California attracted much attention at the GGIE in 1939. In that year he and his family moved to a ranch in Kenwood, Sonoma County, where he continued painting the subjects.
Alphonse Emile Sondag (1874-1971) was born in Paris, France on December 18, 1874. At an early age he was brought to San Francisco where he grew up and attended public school. At age seventeen he returned to Paris to study at Ecole des Beaux-Arts for three years followed by a year in Spain on a scholarship. Returning to San Francisco in 18 96, he continued his studies at the Mark Hopkins Institute. At the turn of the century he lived in Honolulu for a few years where he painted many scenes of the Islands. Upon returning to San Francisco, Sondag established a studio and built a home in Fruitvale. After serving in World War One, he returned with paintings of many noted military figures and landscapes of French and Belgian villages. In the post-war years he was an active member of the San Francisco art colony in exhibitions at California Palace of Legion of Honor, Oakland Art Gallery, the old Mechanic's Pavilion, and the Fairmont Hotel. For a few years he worked as staff artist for the National Park Service. His four large murals of historical events of California attracted much attention on Treasure Island at the Golden Gate International Exposition in 1939. In that year he and his family moved to a ranch in Kenwood, Sonoma County, where he continued painting the subjects for which he is best known: missions, adobes, the Mother Lode country and other historical spots in northern California. Equally facile with both oil and watercolor, he continued painting until his death in Santa Rosa, California on February 3, 1971. Exhibited: Oakland Art Gallery, 1932; San Francisco Art Ass'n, 1932; Sonoma County Library, Santa Rosa, 1976 (memorial). Works held: State Museum Resource Center (Sacramento); Society of California Pioneers; Oakland Museum; San Rafael (CA) Mission; Mendocino County Museum (Willits, CA); California State Library (Mission San Rafael ); Sonora Chamber of Commerce (Raising of the Bear Flag); Courthouses of Eureka, Ukiah, and San Rafael.
Painter and muralist Alphonse Emile Sondag was born in Paris, France but was raised in San Francisco, California from an early age. After finishing elementary school, he returned to Europe at the age of seventeen to study at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts. Earning a scholarship to study abroad, he then spent a year in Spain before returning to the U.S. in 1896. He enrolled at the Mark Hopkins Institute in San Francisco and in 1900 moved to Honolulu.
In the early 1900s he returned once more to California, building a home and studio in Fruitvale near the San Francisco Bay. With the onset of World War I he enlisted in Army and was sent to Europe, where he sketched the villages, he saw in France and Belgium for future paintings. One the war ended, Sondag took up a position as staff artist for the National Parks Service while living in Kenwood, California. Among the works he executed for the department was a mural depicting the raising of the Bear Flag on Treasure Island in the San Francisco Bay; it was exhibited at the 1939 World's Fair on the island before being installed at the Sonoma Depot Museum.
Sondag became an active member of the San Francisco art community. He was known for his imagery of California missions and Gold Country scene, and depictions of historic ships, as well as scenes of Honolulu and Europe.
He exhibited in the Oakland Art Gallery; the Golden Gate Exhibition (1939). His work can be found at the State Resource Center (Sacramento); the Oakland Museum; at Mission San Rafael; Mendocino County Museum; California State Library; Sonora Chamber of Commerce; and the Eureka, Ukiah, and San Rafael, CA courthouses.
Alphonse Emile Sondag died in Santa Rosa, California on February 3, 1971.