By Carl Sammons
Located in Pasadena, CA
Consigned to the gallery, Pasadena, California; By descent to a private collector, Encino, California; Acquired in 1998 by a private collector, San Carlos, Palo Alto, and Oceanside, California; From the Santa Barbara Historical Society
Signed "Carl Sammons" on lower right
Description
This luminous coastal landscape by Carl Sammons is a striking example of the artist’s signature plein air style, depicting the rolling coastal dunes and lush vegetation of California’s shoreline. Best known for his depictions of Carmel and Monterey, the composition and palette of this work suggest inspiration from the Monterey Peninsula dunes. Sammons’ ability to merge vibrant, clean color with a sense of atmospheric perspective is evident here in the interplay of bright, sunlit sands and the rich greens of windswept foliage. His vibrant yet naturalistic color harmonies, crisp edges, and keen sensitivity to light bring the fleeting beauty of the coastal environment to life. The hazy eucalyptus grove in the background adds a distinctive regional touch, situating the composition firmly within California’s coastal identity. Sammons’ paintings of California’s unique landscapes played a significant role in documenting the natural beauty of the state during the early 20th century.
Connection to the Monterey Art Colony
By the 1920s and 1930s, Sammons became closely associated with the Monterey art colony, an influential hub for plein air painters such as Armin Hansen (1886–1957), William Ritschel (1864–1949), and Percy Gray...
Category
1930s Impressionist Plastic Paintings