William Wendt (1865 - 1946) was active/lived in California, Illinois.
Valley Landscape
Medium: Oil on canvas
Style: Impressionist
Size: 19 " x 23 "
Frame Size: 24 3/4 " x 28 3/4 "

Condition:
Ok, a tiny restorations and two bigger restoration patches seen
Age: 20th

Provenance:
Collection from Estate in New Jersey

Biography

Referred to as "the Dean of California artists" William Wendt's paintings epitomize the plein-air style for which California impressionists are so revered. His best-known works demonstrate the feathery brushstrokes and attention to light that are considered the hallmark of a great impressionist painting. These pivotal canvases from the height of Wendt's career are the very definition of a California Impressionist landscape in the minds of most art connoisseurs. It is his work from the early part of his career, however, that demonstrates his connection with his Midwest and East Coast peers. Works from this stage painted in Chicago and on various trips abroad, demonstrate Wendt's ability to create landscape paintings that transcend the current crop of regionalist painters.

Although Wendt is often thought of as a California landscape painter, he was certainly aware of what was going on in other parts of the world. He traveled frequently to Europe and it was in Cornwall, England that he painted, From a Window. This work was completed in the early stages of his career and is one of the earliest examples of the blocky, masculine style that he perfected and for which he was later acclaimed. It is this style that pays homage to the work of other regionalist American painters. A comparison of From a Window to the work of Edward Hopper reveals a similar stillness of mood. In Shore Acres, a work that is akin to that of William Wendt, Hopper demonstrates uncompromising realism and a sense of mood that is more than mere naturalism. Hopper was once quoted as stating "My aim in painting has always been the most exact transcription possible of my most intimate impressions of nature." This idea could easily have come out of the mouth of William Wendt as his focus so closely parallels this expression. Later, artists such as Andrew Wyeth took their lead from Wendt and Hopper and painted works such as, Christina's World with a similar sense of a stolen moment

At the end of his career, it seems that "the Dean of California Artist's" was in fact much more than simply an expert on art of the West Coast. His awareness of many areas of the United States and Europe have lent his paintings to a level of universality that is not frequently achieved by "regional" artists.

Bidders need to know

All the items are sold as is and all sales are final. All bidders are encouraged to review our terms before bidding.
By registering for and/or placing a bid in any Time auction you acknowledge that you have read understand and agree to our Auction terms, Shipping and Payment Policies.

We encourage all buyers to ask for condition reports and or other photos before bidding, with any questions about each item, Email is the best way to reach us, email NewYork@timeauctionglobal.com so we may aid you in your assessment. Condition is appropriate to the age of the item. The absence of a condition report does not imply that the lot is free from damage and wear. All photos are professionally color calibrated. Please go through photos for more details on conditions and age; Color may be different depends on your screen.