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Lot description
Jules Mersfelder (American, 1865-1937). Wooded Landscape with Figures. Oil on board, n.d. A fine painting by American artist Jules Mersfelder depicting a figure sitting beneath a tree in a densely wooded forest, all rendered in a darkened, somber pallet and loose, liberal brushstrokes. Thickly layered impasto accentuates the piece's texture, while the brightened colors of the figure's dress and the sunlit glow of the tree help it to stand out from the sylvan setting. Size of painting: 7" W x 11.75" H (17.8 cm x 29.8 cm); of frame: 11.25" W x 15.5" H (28.6 cm x 39.4 cm) A label on the verso reads: "MERSFELDER, JULES (1865-1937). Landscape painter. Born on Aug. 26, 1865 in Stockton, CA when it was still a small frontier town. Mersfelder began drawing at an early age and in his teens moved to San Francisco where he studied for three years at the School of Design under Virgil Williams. It was during his study there that he received criticism from William Keith. He then moved to NYC where he had a studio for a few years and during his stay there exhibited at the first exhibition of the Society of American Artists. He also enjoyed the hospitality and criticism of George Inness and A. H. Wyant. He later exhibited in Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. He won a bronze medal at the St Louis Expo, 1904 and was awarded the Kilo Ass'n prize at the annual exhibition held at the AIC where 18 of his canvases were accepted by the jury. He maintained a studio in Portland in 1889 before moving to San Francisco in 1891. His final years were spent in Berkeley where he died on Oct. 23, 1937. His works bear evidence of strong influence by the French Barbizons. Many of his darker landscapes of the rugged, huge old oaks of Calif. Compare favorably with those painted by William Keith during his latter period. He is best known for these dark, somber canvases; however he also painted light impressionistic coastal scenes. Mersfelder died in Berkeley on Oct. 23, 1937. Exhibited: Mark Hopkins Inst., 1897. Works held: Oakland Museum. DR; CSL; BC, vol. 1, pg. 432, vol. 2, pg. 114; Ber; AAA 1907; Mrs. W. C. Morrow, biographer." Provenance: private southern California, USA collection, acquired before 2000 All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience. #186136