The Fine Art department at Clars will present a strong selection of works by acclaimed California and American artists like Maynard Dixon, Percy Gray, Thomas Hill, Karl Schmidt and much more on June 20th.
Maynard Dixon (American, 1875–1946), Arizona Landscape, 1944, oil on board, 10.5″ x 13″. Estimate: $15,000–$20,000
Among the highlights in California and American Impressionism is Arizona Landscape, a 1944 oil on board by Western master Maynard Dixon (American, 1875–1946), estimated at $15,000–$20,000. Another featured piece is Eucalyptus Trees with Field of Irises, a graceful watercolor by Percy Gray (American, 1869–1952), estimated at $6,000–$9,000. This piece is one of two works by Gray in the sale, including Oaks in a Field, a 1920 watercolor estimated at $4,000–$6,000.
Percy Gray (American, 1869–1952), Eucalyptus Trees with Field of Irises, watercolor, 18″ x 13″ (1 of 2 to be offered). Estimate: $6,000–$9,000
Another important landscape is Hetch Hetchy (California) by Thomas Hill (American, 1829–1908), an oil on board also estimated at $6,000–$9,000. Additional highlights include View from Salmon Creek, an oil on canvas by Emmy Lou Packard (American, 1914–1998), estimated at $5,000–$7,000, and Near the Mouth, an evocative coastal scene by Theodore Wores (American, 1859–1939), estimated at $4,000–$6,000.
Thomas Hill (American, 1829–1908) Hetch Hetchy (California), oil on board, 15.5″ x 12.5″. Estimate: $6,000–$9,000
Emmy Lou Packard (American, 1914–1998), View from Salmon Creek, oil on canvas, canvas: 36″ x 69″. Estimate: $5,000–$7,000
Percy Gray (American, 1869–1952), Oaks in a Field, 1920, watercolor, 10″ x 14″. Estimate: $4,000–$6,000
Theodore Wores (American, 1859–1939), Near the Mouth, oil on canvas, 12″ x 14″. Estimate: $4,000–$6,000
William Keith (American, 1838–1911), Washington, Mount Tacoma, oil on canvas (laid down on board), 9.5″ x 17″. Provenance: Coeur D’Alene Auction, July 23, 2016 (lot 294); gifted to Harriet P. Cramer (Berkeley, CA) from Ms. McHenry Keith in 1933; Mary McHenry Keith (Berkeley, CA). Estimate: $3,000–$5,000
William Keith (American, 1838–1911), Sierra Sketch, Tahoe Region, oil on board, 7″ x 10″. Provenance: Coeur D’Alene Auction, July 23, 2016 (lot 294); gifted to Harriet P. Cramer (Berkeley, CA) from Ms. McHenry Keith in 1933; Mary McHenry Keith (Berkeley, CA). Estimate: $3,000–$5,000
Frederick Schafer (American/German, 1839–1927) Bridalveil Fall, Yosemite Valley, oil on canvas, 30″ x 20″. Estimate: $3,000–$5,000
Frederick Schafer (American/German, 1839–1927), Mount Shasta, oil on canvas, 20″ x 30″. Estimate: $3,000–$5,000
Giuseppe Cadenasso (American, 1858–1918), Near Point Lobos by the Cliff House, San Francisco, oil on canvas, 28.25″ x 31.25″. Provenance: Bonhams, 8/17/2010, lot 10. Estimate: $2,000–$4,000
The sale also features a strong group of early 20th-century California works, including Cliff and Sunset, both circa 1920 by Karl Schmidt (American, 1890–1962). These vertical oil on linen paintings, each measuring 28 x 13 inches, are estimated at $2,000–$4,000. Additional offerings include Untitled (Landscape with Lake) by Carl Jonnevold (American, 1856–1955), estimated at $600–$900; Untitled (Cows on a Hillside) by Alexis Matthew Podchernikoff (American/Russian, 1886–1933), estimated at $800–$1,200; Desert Landscape by Carl Sammons (American, 1883–1968), estimated at $600–$900; and Untitled (Native Americans by a River) by A.D.M. Cooper (American, 1856–1924), painted in 1916 and estimated at $700–$1,000.
Karl Schmidt (American, 1890–1962), Cliff, circa 1920, oil on linen over panel, 28″ x 13″. Estimate: $2,000–$4,000
Karl Schmidt (American, 1890–1962), Sunset, circa 1920, oil on linen over panel, 28″ x 13″. Estimate: $2,000–$4,000
Fred Grayson Sayer (American, 1879–1939), The Great Silence, Castle Dome Mountains, Arizona, oil on canvas, 30″ x 40″. Estimate: $1,500–$2,500
Ransome Gillet Holdridge (American, 1836–1899), Bridalveil Fall, Yosemite, oil on canvas, 30″ x 20″. Estimate: $1,000–$1,500
William Posey Silva (American, 1859–1948), Down the Coast from Carmel, oil on board, 6″ x 8″. Estimate: $800–$1,200
Alexis Matthew Podchernikoff (American/Russian, 1886–1933), Untitled (Cows on a Hillside), oil on canvas, 16″ x 27″. Estimate: $800–$1,200
Astley David Middleton (ADM) Cooper (American, 1856–1924), Untitled (Native Americans by a River), 1916, oil on canvas, 8″ x 10″. Estimate: $700–$1,000
Carl Sammons (American, 1983–1968), Desert Landscape, oil on board, 6″ x 8″. Estimate: $600–$900
Carl Jonnevold (American, 1856–1955), Untitled (Landscape with Lake), oil on canvas, 10″ x 14″ (1 of 2 to be offered). Estimate: $600–$900
Our May 15th auction will feature a diverse and compelling selection across multiple collecting categories.
Auction
Highlights
Artist Spotlight: Percy Gray
Artist Spotlight
Fine Art
Percy Gray was an American artist known for his landscape and still life paintings. Born 1869 in San Francisco, California, Gray became a prominent figure in the California plein air movement. He studied at the California School of Design and later taught there as well.
Gray’s artwork often depicted the natural beauty of California, particularly its coastal and mountainous landscapes. He had a keen eye for capturing the interplay of light and shadow in his paintings, showcasing a strong sense of atmosphere and mood. Gray’s brushwork was characterized by loose, impressionistic strokes that conveyed a sense of spontaneity and vitality.
Percy Gray (American, 1869–1952), Eucalyptus Trees along the Wooden Fence, 1920, watercolor, 9.75″ x 13.5″. Sold: $5,985
Path to the Foothills captures the serene beauty of nature with its delicate brushstrokes and vibrant hues. The way Gray skillfully portrays the winding path leading through the foothills is simply mesmerizing. Gray’s mastery of watercolor shines through in this piece, as he effortlessly captures the essence of the Californian landscape with lush foliage and distant mountains.
Percy Gray (American, 1869–1952), Path to the Foothills, 1921, watercolor, 13.75″ x 10.5″. Sold: $6,300
Throughout his career, Gray exhibited his works extensively — both locally and nationally. He was a member of various art societies, including the Bohemian Club and the California Art Club. Today, Percy Gray’s paintings can be found in private collections and museums, contributing to the legacy of California Impressionism.
Annie Leibovitz began her artistic career at the San Francisco Art Institute in the late 1960s, where she originally studied painting but was inspired to change her focus to photography.
