RARE Antique Early California Impressionist Oil Painting, Mary Belle Williams

This is a lovely and exquisitely detailed RARE Antique Early California Impressionist Oil Painting on canvas, by early San Diego, California female painter Mary Belle Williams 1873 – 1943. This work depicts the expressive portrait of an unidentified female sitter, and approximately dates to the 1910’s. This is likely one of her first portraits after she moved to San Diego in 1906. Williams in the lower right corner. Approximately 16 x 20 inches. Overall good condition for 100+ years of age, with mild scuffing, light soiling and edge wear please see photos. Acquired from an old family home in Pasadena, California. If you like what you see, I encourage you to make an Offer. Please check out my other listings for more wonderful and unique artworks! 1873 – Massilon, Ohio. 1943 – Los Angeles, California. Portrait, floral and landscape painting. Born in Massilon, OH on Dec. 13, 1873, Mary Belle Williams began art studies as a child and continued at the Art Students League in NYC. She moved from Canton, OH to San Diego about 1906 where her brother owned a gold mine in nearby Julian. In San Diego she maintained a studio in a building she owned at Seventh and Beech streets where Alfred R. Mitchell also lived and worked. Her last six months were spent in a hospital in Los Angeles where she died on June 21, 1943. San Diego Art Guild (charter member, 1915). Carnegie Library (San Diego), 1909 (solo); Panama Calif. Int’l Expo (San Diego), 1915 (silver and bronze medals); San Diego FA Gallery, 1927; Calif. Pacific Int’l Expo (San Diego), 1935; Calif. San Diego Public Library and Historical Society; State Museum Resource Center (Sacramento). Women Artists of the American West; San Diego Historical Society; San Diego Union, 6-25-1943 (obituary). Although one of the most popular women painters in San Diego, surprisingly little is known about the career of Mary Belle Williams. The daughter of Henry Alonzo and Alwilda (Beazel) Williams, both Ohio natives, Mary Belle began her study of art as a child. She moved to San Diego about 1906 with her father and brother, Howard, who owned and operated the Owens gold mine in Julian for many years. Julian was the inspiration for several of her paintings. The City Directories list her in San Diego at various addresses between 1906 and 1915. During this time, she frequently exhibited with the San Diego Art Association of which she was a member. In 1909, she had an exhibit of ninety works at the old Carnegie Library in downtown San Diego. She received a silver medal for her work at the Panama-California Exposition in 1915, and a bronze medal for miniatures at the international extension of that exposition the following year. There is no listing for Mary Belle in San Diego between 1916 and 1921, and perhaps her successes at the expositions encouraged her to take further study. It is possible that she went to New York, since one source indicates that she studied with artists in that city and attended the Art Students’ League there, but whether this was before or after her initial arrival in San Diego is not known. Returning to San Diego about 1922, Mary Belle once again became an active member of the local art community. A charter member of the San Diego Art Guild founded in 1915, she resumed her association and frequently exhibited with the group. She specialized in portraits, but also did many landscape and flower pieces. Her portrait of Mrs. Davison, San Diego librarian for many years, was exhibited at the California Pacific International Exposition in San Diego in 1935. A list of her portraits reads like a “who’s who” of San Diego. Her paintings demonstrate a vivid palette and bold color sense. Mary Belle’s studio was in the basement of an Irving, Gill designed building she owned at Seventh and Beech Streets. For a time in the 1920s, Alfred R. Mitchell rented the upstairs for his home and studio, and painting his well-known. Morning on the Bay. Mary Belle remained at this address until the last six months of her life which were spent in a hospital in Los Angeles. This item is in the category “Art\Paintings”. The seller is “willsusa_utzeqm” and is located in this country: US. 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Artist: Mary Belle Williams
Signed By: Mary Belle Williams
Size: Medium
Signed: Yes
Material: Canvas, Oil
Region of Origin: California, USA
Framing: Unframed
Subject: Fashion, Portrait, Women
Type: Painting
Original/Licensed Reproduction: Original
Item Height: 20 in
Style: Impressionism, Portraiture
Features: One of a Kind (OOAK)
Production Technique: Oil Painting
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
Item Width: 16 in
Handmade: Yes
Time Period Produced: 1900-1924