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Lot Essay
California's dramatic landscape of high mountains, colorful deserts and sun drenched beaches drew artists from around the world who sought to interpret the beautiful and unique landscape on their canvases. Such was the case with William Alexander Griffith, who for twenty years was head of the Department of Drawing and Painting at the University of Kansas at Lawrence. Born the son of a hardware merchant in Lawrence, Griffith showed signs early in his life of strong artistic talent and repelled his father's attempts to bring him into his hardware business. Griffith's tenacity won out, and with friend and fellow artist Benjamin C. Brown, he traveled to Paris where he studied at the Academie Julian under Jules Lefebvre and Benjamin Constant. It was here that he gained his formal artistic training and strong influence into Impressionism and Post Impressionism. After returning from Europe, he settled into his post at the University where he developed an architectural school and programs to promote interdisciplinary artistic study. He was greatly interested in architecture and designed several residences, one of which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
In 1918, Griffith fell ill and spent time in the warm climate of San Diego to recuperate. During this time, Griffith visited Laguna Beach and was so inspired by the spectacular scenery and central locale to the boats and inland waterways, mountains and desert, that he promptly resigned from his long teaching career. He moved permanently to Laguna Beach to fulfill his dream as a professional artist. Soon after his arrival, Griffith became a charter member of the Laguna Beach Art Association. He was instrumental in building the fledgling association into an important Southern California art colony.
It was in Laguna Beach that Griffith created his most beautiful and sought after paintings. In Diver's Cove #12, Griffith masterfully displays a sun-drenched beach crowded with active sunbathers. Unlike other artists who sought to show the California landscape void of any people, Griffith painted many happy visitors sunbathing along the shore. Griffith often employed pastel, creating a technique of mixing pigment, casein, milk and cheese which he painted on linen. This blend produced a richness of color and permanence of medium. Griffith held a passion for pastels and used vivid colors to display the freedom and vibrancy of his sparkling beach scenes.
In 1918, Griffith fell ill and spent time in the warm climate of San Diego to recuperate. During this time, Griffith visited Laguna Beach and was so inspired by the spectacular scenery and central locale to the boats and inland waterways, mountains and desert, that he promptly resigned from his long teaching career. He moved permanently to Laguna Beach to fulfill his dream as a professional artist. Soon after his arrival, Griffith became a charter member of the Laguna Beach Art Association. He was instrumental in building the fledgling association into an important Southern California art colony.
It was in Laguna Beach that Griffith created his most beautiful and sought after paintings. In Diver's Cove #12, Griffith masterfully displays a sun-drenched beach crowded with active sunbathers. Unlike other artists who sought to show the California landscape void of any people, Griffith painted many happy visitors sunbathing along the shore. Griffith often employed pastel, creating a technique of mixing pigment, casein, milk and cheese which he painted on linen. This blend produced a richness of color and permanence of medium. Griffith held a passion for pastels and used vivid colors to display the freedom and vibrancy of his sparkling beach scenes.