PBA Galleries

Unsigned. 24x34.5 cm (9½x13½"), framed under glass.

Watercolor of a small cluster of ranch buildings nestled under some hills. Lillie May Nicholson, 1884-1964, was a pupil of Gottardo Piazzoni, spending time in France and Japan early in her life, later becoming well known around Northern California and particularly the Monterey Peninsula area. She was a member of the Carmel Art Association. See the net for much more on her contributions to California plein air art. The present watercolor is identified in ink on the back of the frame, "The Nicholson Ranch from San Juan Road between Watsonville and Aromas, California, by Lillie May  Nicholson, Catalogue No. 206" - this last apparently referring to "Lillie May Nicholson, 1884-1964 : an artist rediscovered: including a complete catalog of her known works" by Walter A. Nelson-Rees. On another piece of paper, taped to the back of the frame, is offered information on the dating of the watercolor, in a different and perhaps earlier hand than the description: "San Juan Rd. looks ungravelled? - Probably painted in the early 20s or late teens. - The San Juan Rd. was mostly gravelled in 1925 and probably paved in 1931. - Bill & Barbara's home was built in 1923, it is not seen here. - Big Barn was torn town about 1932." Provenance: Joseph V. Costello.

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