Featured Cal. painting: Geo Ernst

The signature is easy enough to read, but I'm having trouble trying to find out who the painter was: George Ernst

oil on masonite
unframed
larger: 24" x 18" (61x45cm)

Thank you for any help and / or comments!

 

And how do you know it's California?

Debora

 

Well, you're right: that was a guess, based on the landscape / basin and range geology. And also where I found it, an antique mall here in Oregon.

If it's not CA, I'm guessing it's nearby: Nevada, Arizona. But again, those are guesses.

 

I would think a talented amateur?

 

I think a trained artist. Unfortunately I can't find anything on him.
My search is hampered by the fact that Ernst is a Dutch, Belgian, Danish and German first name and surname.

 

Certainly trained. Accomplished what he wanted to. Interesting choice that he took advantage of the texture of the masonite. Looks almost like a preliminary work.

Debora

 

Thank you for looking.

Thank you for the opinions.

 

Not just California...it's high probable the view is west, from the east side of the Sierra Mountains...Owens Valley comes immediately to mind, south of Lee Vining on Mono Lake. I like it!

 

Looks like Palm Springs way to my eye, Coachella Valley, but could be elsewhere as noted above. High desert.

Debora

 

Another painting on the rough side of masonite. There must have been someone advocating this at some point. I have found/seen numerous paintings done as such. This is more professional than most but can't say I have ever seen a truly professional work by a known artist done this way.

 

I always think -- perhaps incorrectly -- that these types of works were produced by individuals working in the commercial arts or printing trade. People with some art education and a good eye but vocational rather than fine arts training. Of course, I could be wrong.

Debora

 

My first impression that this 'Ernst' was a commercial artist. It is a good and attractive piece, but it doesn't have the 'depth' of a fine painting, imo. I do like it though.

 

Could be anywhere but gut feeling is pretty classic CA desert landscape since I have a bedroom wall full of CA desert landscapes and there’s no vegetation to suggest elsewhere. No clue if it’s high desert or low. Would guess 40s/50s but regardless it has age. Agree an accomplished painter. I know most of the low desert painters but there are certainly unknown talented artists out there. Nice painting!

 

"CA desert landscapes." Must be an interesting collection.

Debora

 

Here is another by him. The seller says Corvilla and signed "as shown". In addition to the sig on the front, it says something on the back. I can't quite make it out. It maybe Covilla George J Ernst with a date and something else. Perhaps someone else can make it out.



I didn't do well with my edit.


https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/antique-george-ernst-oil-painting-2074604730

 

All small minor works but I have 2 Chisnalls, 3 Brays-almost all Coachella Valley. One Bray is AZ (unusual for him) and my Namingha is NM. Most of the others are listed. Sorry that I let go of my Hilton years ago.

 

Those have to be CA paintings…

 

Nice find @say_it_slowly! Thanks.

And thanks for the valued comments @reader!

 

Prefacing no botanist here (so not…) but did live in the Sierra for 9 years and the plant on the right of left side of 1st painting could be mule ear which only grows at altitude. If it is, the Sierra was a likely call as it couldn’t be desert floor (Coachella Valley) or Joshua Tree, Yucca etc. Yucca and JT paintings would have yucca and Joshua trees. Hard to avoid them.

If I’ve seen one low desert painter, I’ve literally seen hundreds and I don’t know the name but now thinking wiwhittier could be right.