John A. Stanton painting, desert landscape, c.1926, Bohemian Club & California artist
- Oil on canvas
- Canvas 14 x 12 in.
- Frame 21 x 19 in.
- Signed lower left
About the work
John Stanton’s works are quite rare owing to a relative who tragically discarded most of his paintings after his death in 1929.
The painting offered was likely painted in October, 1926, when Stanton and his wife visited Arizona. An article from November, 1926, mentions “three Arizona landscapes in oils” by Stanton among works featured at the Palo Alto public library as part of a series of Palo Alto Art Club exhibitions. The Bohemian Club’s spring annual exhibition in 1927 likewise included “some Arizona canvases” by Stanton.
The work is consistent with Stanton’s style after the turn of the century when his palette brightened and his brushwork was more akin to Impressionism.
The painting and frame present very well. Overall condition of the painting is good, with relatively mild undulations to the canvas surface. The varnish appears original and may have darkened with age. There are no signs of cracking or losses to the surface. There appears to be a very small, old patch on the lower left portion of the canvas on reverse which measures 1/8 by 1/2 inch—see photos. Frame overall is in good condition with minor rub marks and impressions from use; there are cracks in the upper right portion of the fillet as shown in the photos. A label from frame-maker H. C. Lichtenberger of Los Angeles is attached on reverse. Lichtenberger retired from business in 1901.
Offered as is, so please inspect the photos carefully and ask questions before purchase.
About the artist…
John A. Stanton was born in Grass Valley, California, in 1857. He grew up in San Francisco where he studied at the California School of Design, which was later renamed San Francisco Art Institute. Between 1889 and 1893, Stanton studied in Paris under Jean Paul Laurens, among others. But Laurens in particular was one of his biggest influences. Upon return to San Francisco, Stanton was appointed chief of the Fine Arts Department for the Midwinter Fair headquarters. He taught for many years at the San Francisco Art Institute and was eventually appointed dean of department. An article published at the time of his appointment noted that Stanton was considered one of the best to ever teach at the institute.
Stanton made his reputation in portrait painting and marine subjects, but he also achieved remarkable success in religious pictures and landscapes. He was considered one of the old guard of the Bohemian Club of San Francisco where three of his paintings hung in 1913, the same year he was appointed dean at the Art Institute. His works were widely exhibited, often alongside California’s most important artists of the day, including Will Sparks, Jimmy Swinnerton, Percy Gray, L. P. Latimer, Ferdinand Burgdorff, Theodore Wores, Arthur Best, Gottardo Piazzoni, William Keith, Charles Rollo Peters, and others.
That Stanton’s name is less recognizable than those of his contemporaries is undoubtedly a consequence of so few of his paintings surviving after his death. And yet, the numerous newspaper articles written about Stanton during his lifetime leave no doubt that he was among California’s most appreciated and important early artists.
Thanks for looking.
Russ
Nevada Fine Art LLC