Jack Wisby - Early California Impressionist Painting of Marin Co./ Arts & Crafts

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Jack Wisby - Early California Impressionist Painting of Marin Co./ Arts & Crafts:
$284.99

Early California Plein Air Impressionist Painting
~ Jack Wisby ~

Marin County Coast - Signed & Dated 1911

~ please scroll down for more photos and information ~SIZE: Painting - 6.5” x - 8.5” x 11”DESCRIPTION:

Small gem-like California Impressionist painting of the Marin coastline and hills
by well-listed American artist, Jack Wisby (1869-1940).

Gouache (or thin oils) on thick paper. Original arts and crafts period frame. Glass in place over painting.

Signed and dated in pencil by the artist, lower left: “J Wisby - Nov. 17th ’11” (103 years ago).

This work is small, but a very fine example of Jack Wisby’s finely painted landscapes. I believe this painting was done with gouache on paper, although it may have been done with thinned-out oil paints. It’s a bit hard to be sure (maybe both) as the painting was done on artist’s paper and the brushwork is so small, intricate, and delicate. The pigments do have impasto and brush marks showing, as you can see from the close-up photos. Jack Wisby was known to mostly work in oils and I was only able to find one gouache in 31 sale records (on ArtPrice.com).

The brushwork and rendition of this Marin Coastal landscape is very delicate, painted in almost pastel tonalist colors, but with beautiful light purples, blues and pinks. A light impressionist palette.

Although the exact location is unknown to me (probably could be located exactly by comparison with photographs), I would guess that it is of, or near, Tomales Bay as Wisby was living in Inverness during 1911.

The back of the frame provides some provenance as it has a partial label for the Feingarten Galleries in Beverly Hills, California. The gallery label looks like it may be from the 1950’s as there is no zip code in the address.AGE: Dated on the painting: November 17th 1911 CONDITION:

Good condition, as shown in the photos and with the following noted: No damage or restorations to the painting. Possible slight yellowing to the paper. Original frame in good condition. Ready to display. Glass in place over the painting.Jack Wisby
(1869-1940)

Born in London, England on June 7, 1869. Wisby arrived in San Francisco in 1892 with his fiancée Mary Anne Fossey. For a few years he was an engraver at Shreve\'s and began painting without benefit of formal art training. At the turn of the century he made many sketching trips to Yosemite and Lake Tahoe.

After his studio and many of his early works were lost in the 1906 earthquake and fire, he moved across the Golden Gate to Marin County. He lived in Inverness until 1912 when he built a studio in nearby Bolinas. During this period he painted many scenes of Lucas Valley and the San Geronimo hills. Never having to depend on commercial art for income, he made a good living from his paintings. In 1919 he made his final move to a home at 12 Harcourt Street in San Rafael where he lived until his death on Jan. 3, 1940.

Wisby is best known for his soft, poetic oils of northern California which often have water reflection. Using small brushstrokes, his style evinces his training as an engraver with great attention given to minute detail.

Exhibited: Berkeley Art Association, 1905; Torrance Gallery (San Anselmo), 1960 (retrospective). Works held: San Mateo County Historical Museum; Oakland Museum; San francisco Museum of Fine Arts.