Granville Redmond
(1871-1935)
"Sailboats off Catalina," 1903
Oil on canvas laid to board
Signed and dated lower right: G. Redmond
6.25" H x 7.375" W
Provenance: Sold: Butterfield & Butterfield, San Francisco, CA, Lot 2574

Other Notes: Granville Redmond was an American painter renowned for his breathtaking landscapes and thoughtful depictions of California rural scenes. Born on March 9, 1871 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Redmond's early life was marked by adversity when, at the age of two, he lost his hearing and speech after contracting scarlet fever. Most likely, this change prompted Redmond's family to move from Pennsylvania to San Jose, California in 1874, where just a couple years later, on January 2, 1879, Granville Redmond would start receiving his education at the Berkeley School for the Deaf and Blind. Here, he discovered his artistic talent under the guidance of Theophilus Hope d'Estrella, his first art teacher who gave him continuous drawing and pantomime lessons, recognized Redmond's potential, and encouraged him to pursue art professionally. In 1890, Redmond graduated from the Berkley School for the Deaf and Blind. In 1893, Redmond enrolled at the California School of Design in San Francisco, where he studied under notable artists such as Arthur Mathews and Amedee Joullin. He later continued his studies at the AcadÈmie Julian in Paris, where he honed his skills and absorbed the influences of European Impressionism.

Upon returning to California, Redmond established himself as a leading figure in the state's burgeoning art scene. His works often captured the vibrant colors and unique light of the California landscape, earning him critical acclaim and commercial success. Arthur Miller, an art critic for the Los Angeles Times, even wrote in 1931 that Redmond was ìunrivaled in the realistic depictions of Californiaís landscape.î Redmond's mastery of color and form, combined with his deep connection to nature, set him apart as a luminary of the California Impressionist movement. One of Redmond's most iconic subjects was the California poppy, which he portrayed in countless paintings with sensitivity and reverence. Redmondís poppies ìaccented his renditions of the rolling meadows of the San Gabriel Valley, often accompanied by purple lupines. Sometimes they complemented a coastal scene with bursts of yellow highlights.î His depictions of poppy fields in bloom became emblematic of California's natural beauty and garnered widespread admiration.

Although Redmondís poppies were widely popular, he preferred to paint scenes of solitude, because it permeated both his life and his art. Solitude became a companion to him, offering him a sanctuary where he could immerse himself fully in his artistic pursuits and commune with the natural world. Throughout his career, Redmond's paintings often depicted tranquil landscapes devoid of human presence, emphasizing the serene beauty of untouched nature. His depictions of rolling hills, expansive fields, and secluded valleys conveyed a sense of peaceful seclusion. Through his art, Redmond invited observers to join him in moments of contemplation and introspection, encouraging them to find solace and beauty in the quiet corners of the world. For Redmond, the idea of solitude was not merely the absence of human presence in his art, but rather a communion with the essence of nature and connection to something greater than oneself.

Apart from his artistic pursuits, Redmond was also an accomplished actor and had a strong working relationship and friendship with Charlie Chaplin. Chaplin admired the ìnatural expressiveness of a deaf person using American Sign Language,î which led Chaplin to ask Redmond to collaborate and develop certain techniques that Chaplin would later use in his silent films. Charlie Chaplin was thoroughly impressed by Redmond's skills, and he supported Redmondís painting career by offering him an empty studio on the movie lot, where Chaplin would visit during his breaks and quietly watch Redmond paint. Chaplin also collected Redmondís paintings, and sponsored him in silent acting roles, including the role as the sculptor in the 1931 silent film, ìCity Lights.î Redmondís expressive performances and ability to convey emotion through gesture and expression made him a natural fit for Chaplin's silent films. Beyond their professional collaboration, Redmond and Chaplin shared respect and admiration for each otherís talent and work. Chaplin and the movies he starred in also provided him with a new market for his art, of buyers that included the Hollywood elite. Redmond would also meet many other artists like Elmer Wachtel and Norman St. Clair.

Throughout his career, Redmond's work was exhibited in prestigious galleries and museums across the United States, including the National Academy of Design and the California Palace of the Legion of Honor. His legacy continues to endure, with his paintings celebrated for their timeless beauty and emotional resonance. Granville Redmond passed away on May 24, 1935, leaving behind a rich artistic legacy that inspires generations of artists and enthusiasts alike. To quote Charlie Chaplin about the true essence of Granville Redmond and his work, Chaplin states, "Look at the gladness in that sky, the riot of color in those flowers,î he continued. ìSometimes I think that the silence in which he lives has developed in him some sense, some great capacity for happiness in which we others are lacking.î

Visual: Overall good condition. Minor frame abrasion along the extreme edges and corners, with some scattered areas of attendant pinhead-sized or smaller areas of pigment loss.

Blacklight: No evidence of restoration.

Frame: 11.75" H x 12.75" W x 1" D Condition reports are offered as a courtesy and are typically published in Moran's catalogue or can be made available upon request. The absence of a condition report does not imply that an item is free from defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of others. Buyers are responsible for determining to their own satisfaction the true nature and condition of any lot prior to bidding. Though buyers are not legally required to inspect lots prior to purchase, failure to do so may constitute a waiver of complaint that an item was not delivered in a condition equal to the existent condition at the auction.