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Angel De Service EspoyCalifornia Lupines and Poppies, c. 1930c. 1930
c. 1930
$4,000
£3,058.24
€3,503.95
CA$5,642.03
A$6,142.73
CHF 3,280.02
MX$74,152.37
NOK 41,235.74
SEK 38,354.04
DKK 26,172.79
About the Item
Consigned to the gallery, Pasadena, California; By descent to a private collector, Encino, California; Acquired in 1997 by a private collector, Palo Alto and Oceanside, California; From Joan Irvine Smith Fine Arts, Inc., Laguna Beach, California.
Signed "A. Espoy" on lower left
Description
In California Lupines and Poppies, Angel De Service Espoy captures the vibrant splendor of California’s springtime wildflowers with lyrical brushwork and atmospheric sensitivity. A hillside awash in blooming blue lupines and golden poppies slopes gently toward a distant view of rolling hills beneath a soft, clouded sky. Espoy’s confident handling of color and texture brings the landscape to life, evoking the fleeting beauty of the state’s native flora and the delicate transitions of light across the land. This intimate composition reflects the artist’s deep affection for California’s rural countryside and his enduring legacy as a painter of its most poetic vistas.
Based on the painting’s style, subject matter, and scale, California Lupines and Poppies was most likely created between 1925 and 1940—a period when Espoy was actively painting California’s coastal and inland landscapes, particularly in the Monterey Peninsula and Carmel Highlands regions. The composition, with its gently rolling hills, distant haze, and vivid display of native wildflowers, closely aligns with Espoy’s known plein air works of the Central Coast.
The loose yet confident brushwork, naturalistic light, and spontaneous floral groupings all support the likelihood that this piece was painted en plein air. Espoy often created small-format oils like this one outdoors as finished works in their own right or as preparatory studies for larger studio paintings. His style blends Realism and Impressionism, drawing upon the influences of his training under Joaquín Sorolla (1863–1923) and the French Barbizon School, resulting in works that balance truthful representation with a painterly, light-filled immediacy.
Historical Significance
Born in Spain and trained in Barcelona, Angel Espoy immigrated to the United States in the early 20th century, eventually settling in California, where he became known for his floral landscapes, maritime scenes, and depictions of the Pacific coastline. Espoy’s lupine and poppy paintings are among his most beloved subjects, reflecting the natural beauty of the state and the influence of California Impressionism.
In the 1920s–1930s, Espoy’s work gained popularity among collectors who sought colorful, uplifting views of the West, particularly during the Depression era. His florals not only document California’s seasonal splendor but also contribute to the legacy of artists who elevated regional wildflowers to a fine art subject—following in the tradition of Granville Redmond, William Wendt, and Guy Rose. Today, Espoy’s flower-filled landscapes remain a favorite among collectors of early California art for their joyful color and enduring charm.
Framing
Presented in a hand-carved wood frame with a 22-karat gold leaf finish, crafted in a traditional plein air style to complement the painting’s period and palette. The broad molding with high-relief corner and center ornaments reflects the elegance of early 20th-century California framing. The warm gold tone enhances the vibrancy of the wildflower colors and provides an elegant, period-appropriate presentation that elevates the painting’s visual impact.
UNFRAMED: 8" x 10" FRAMED: 15.25" x 17.125" x 1.50"
Condition
Excellent. The paint surface is stable and clean with no visible craquelure, abrasions, or losses. The colors remain fresh and vibrant, suggesting the work has been well cared for and protected from environmental damage.
Exhibited
Scenic Route: A Half Century of California Discovery, 1900-1950, American Legacy Fine Arts, Pasadena, California, August 15 - October 11, 2025
- Creator:Angel De Service Espoy (1879 - 1963, Spanish, American)
- Creation Year:c. 1930
- Dimensions:Height: 15.25 in (38.74 cm)Width: 17.125 in (43.5 cm)Depth: 1.5 in (3.81 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:Pasadena, CA
- Reference Number:Seller: ADE-00021stDibs: LU588316681622
Angel De Service Espoy
Angel Espoy was born in Villa Nueva, Spain on October 2, 1879. At the age of eighteen he left home to join the Spanish merchant marines and served as first mate. During his stint as a merchant marine he developed a love for the sea and a true appreciation for clipper ships.
Having a profound interest to portray his experiences, Espoy traveled to Barcelona where he studied with Joaquin Sorolla (1863-1923). Two years were spent in Havana where he began to earn his living as an artist by painting designs on furniture. Destitute, Angel made his way to New York City in 1904. After a return to his native land, he moved to San Francisco in 1914. There he supported himself for seven years making cartoons for movies while painting on weekends with Manuel Valencia, Carl Jonnevold, and John Califano. In 1922 Angel Espoy moved to southern California and from that time was able to subsist by the sale of his paintings. His great love of the sea is evident in the body of his work which includes seascapes and maritime subjects; however, he was also an accomplished painter of California’s rolling hills of poppies and lupines. Espoy died in Seal Beach, CA on January 31, 1963.
Angel Espoy Biography courtesy of Hughes.
His landscapes and marine art were exhibited at the Los Angeles City Hall, Oakland Museum of California, Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery and Loyola University. His style was influenced by the Barbizon school of painters.
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