Jessie Hazel Arms Botke

Bodega Bay, c. 1906

• Watercolor on paper
• 10" x 12", artwork
• 15.75" x 17.25" x .875", framed
• Historic

$7,500

Provenance
Consigned to American Legacy Fine Arts, 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 William A. Karges Fine Art, Carmel, California

Description
This charming watercolor captures a sweeping view of Bodega Bay, California, rendered with the refined draftsmanship and decorative sensibility for which Jessie Arms Botke is renowned. While best known for her gilded avian compositions, Botke’s landscapes are comparatively rare and reveal a more personal side of her artistic vision. Here, the viewer peers over the distinctive red turret of a Victorian home toward the curving estuary, where land meets sea beneath a soft blue sky. Delicate washes and crisp detailing convey the texture of the shoreline, the undulating water, and the surrounding structures, evoking the calm yet lively spirit of a coastal fishing village in the early 20th century. The warm terracotta tones of the foreground architecture contrast beautifully with the cool blues of the water and the distant hills, creating a balanced, harmonious scene.

Although no journal entry or record confirms a specific trip to Bodega Bay, Botke may have painted this work, circa 1906, during the period when she was offered a round-trip passage from the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway to travel from Chicago to Arizona and California in exchange for paintings depicting scenes of the West. The style and vantage point suggest direct observation, making it likely that she visited the town and painted the scene en plein air. With its architectural detail, vibrant palette, and compositional harmony, this work stands as a significant example of Botke’s lesser seen yet highly collectible works on paper. Jessie Arms Botke is recognized as one of the most important women artists in the early California art movement.

Location Information
Bodega Bay, located about 40 miles northwest of San Francisco, has long been a hub for fishing and maritime trade. In the early 1900s—around the time Botke painted this scene—the area was transitioning from a remote fishing outpost to a modest tourist destination. The turreted building featured prominently in the foreground suggests Botke’s interest in the interplay between human habitation and the surrounding natural beauty.

Historical Significance
Painted early in Jesse Arms Botke’s career—before she became widely celebrated for her decorative oil paintings of birds and botanical subjects—this work reveals her versatility and skill as a plein air watercolorist. Her ability to balance architectural detail with atmospheric landscape elements reflects her training and the influence of the American Impressionist movement, which emphasized capturing light and mood directly from life. Works from this formative period are relatively rare, offering insight into her development as an artist.

Framing
Presented in a simple wood  frame with 22-karat gold leaf and glass sheet, paired with an archival, off-white mat. The frame’s understated elegance allows the painting’s vibrant colors and architectural details to take center stage while complementing the historical period of the work.

Condition
The watercolor is in excellent condition with fresh, well-preserved color, showing no signs of fading or foxing. The archival matting and protective glazing contribute to its preservation. The frame is in very good condition with only minimal wear appropriate to age.

Exhibited
Scenic Route: A Half Century of California Discovery, 1900-1950, American Legacy Fine Arts, Pasadena, California, August 15 - October 11, 2025

 

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