Gustave Baumann (Germany/New Mexico/California, 1881-1971) color block print on cream laid paper titled "Ranchos de Taos" depicting a dirt road and rocky hillside leading toward historic Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico, with the San Francisco de Asis Mission Church (also featured in Baumann's earlier woodcut, "Church Ranchos de Taos") visible before the distant Sangre de Cristo Mountains. One of Baumann's signature decorative borders encloses the scene. Pencil signed, titled, inscribed "II," and numbered 98/125, with the artist's hand-in-heart chop, lower right. With Owings-Dewey Fine Art, Santa Fe, and Montage, Plaza De Los Artesanos, Santa Fe gallery stickers affixed to backing (the 1988 Owings-Dewey sales receipt is available to the winning bidder). Housed in a modern red and gilt frame with ivory textile mat and gilt fillet. From the second edition printed in 1948. Ref: Chamberlain 133. Sheet: 13 3/8" H x 16 3/4" W. Sight: 10 1/4" H x 10 3/4" W. Frame: 18" H x 19" W.

Biography (from the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco): Born in Magdeburg, Germany in 1881, Baumann's family moved to Chicago in 1891. He studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and later at Kunstgewerbeschule in Munich where he studied under Maximilian Dasio (1865-1954), a painter who experimented with linocuts, and Hans Neumann (1873-1957), a woodcut artist, and learned both techniques. In addition to Chicago, Baumann traveled extensively throughout the United States, living in Brown County, Indiana from 1910-1917 where he created IN THE HILLS O' BROWN, a portfolio of twelve four-color woodcuts. He eventually settled in Santa Fe, New Mexico where he lived for over 50 years.

He traveled to California several times and created a series of eleven woodblock prints of California scenes. He was very active in the Santa Fe area community and was the WPA coordinator in Santa Fe during the 1930s. His works were exhibited at Panama-Pacific International Exposition of 1915 where he won a gold medal and at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in 1926. A printmaker and painter, Gustave Baumann is known for his colorful woodblock prints, particularly his landscapes depicting scenes in New Mexico, the California coast, and life in Southwestern pueblos.

PROVENANCE: The estate of Ann H. Wells, Nashville, Tennessee. Purchased Owings-Dewey Co., Santa Fe, NM, Nov. 1, 1988.

Excellent condition, with full margins. A very good impression with strong colors. Affixed to mat with archival tape.