John Bond Francisco

Ponderosa, Sugar and White Pine (Tree Study), c. 1915

c. 1915

Provenance Acquired by the gallery directly from the artist UNFRAMED: 12" x 16" FRAMED: 19.5" x 23.5" x 2.5"

Consigned to the gallery, Pasadena, California; From a private collector, Encino, California, by descent; Acquired in 1997 by a private collector, Palo Alto, California; From Sean's Antiques, San Francisco, California. Signed "L.P. Latimer" on lower right Description This intimate watercolor captures Fallen Leaf Lake, a serene alpine lake in El Dorado County, California, situated just south of Lake Tahoe—an area celebrated each autumn for the Kokanee Salmon trail runs. Latimer invites the viewer onto a rocky slope, framed by stately evergreens, guiding the gaze across the lake’s glassy blue surface toward the snow-capped Sierra Nevada peaks beyond. His delicate washes and masterful color transitions—pale rose and gold in the drifting clouds, soft greens in the foliage, and muted blue-grays in the distant mountains—reflect his refined command of the watercolor medium. The composition conveys the quietude of early morning or late afternoon light in the high country, capturing a timeless sense of place that has long inspired artists of the Lake Tahoe region. Historical Significance Lorenzo Palmer Latimer (1857–1941) was a foundational figure in early 20th-century California plein air painting, especially known for his evocative watercolors of Lake Tahoe, the Sierra Nevada, and Northern California landscapes. He taught at the San Francisco Mechanics’ Institute and later founded the Latimer Art Club in Reno (1921), shaping an entire generation of regional artists. His deep connection to Fallen Leaf Lake is well-documented—he first painted there in 1914 and led annual summer workshops at the site, drawn by its pristine beauty and the opportunity to work directly from nature. Today, Latimer’s mastery is celebrated in the beautifully illustrated book The Latimer School: Lorenzo Latimer...

Painted plein air during a Plein :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang: No :: Signed: Y...

“Impressionist Landscape, c. 1915-1920” by Francis Stillwell Dixon (American, 1879-1967). One of Dixon’s finest canvases, depicting a tranquil forest scene bathed in soft, dappled l...