Lorenzo Palmer Latimer

Fallen Leaf Lake; Lake Tahoe Region c. 1916

• Watercolor on paper
• 10" x 7", artwork
• 17" x 13.5" x .5", framed
• Historic

$3,000

Provenance
Consigned to American Legacy Fine Arts, Pasadena, California, from a private collector, Encino, California, by descent; acquired in 1997 by a private collector, Palo Alto, California, from Sean's Antiques, San Francisco, California.

Description
This intimate watercolor captures Fallen Leaf Lake, a serene alpine lake in El Dorado County, California, situated just south of Lake Tahoe—an area celebrated each autumn for the Kokanee Salmon trail runs. Latimer invites the viewer onto a rocky slope, framed by stately evergreens, guiding the gaze across the lake’s glassy blue surface toward the snow-capped Sierra Nevada peaks beyond. His delicate washes and masterful color transitions—pale rose and gold in the drifting clouds, soft greens in the foliage, and muted blue-grays in the distant mountains—reflect his refined command of the watercolor medium. The composition conveys the quietude of early morning or late afternoon light in the high country, capturing a timeless sense of place that has long inspired artists of the Lake Tahoe region.

Historical Significance
Lorenzo Palmer Latimer (1857–1941) was a foundational figure in early 20th-century California plein air painting, especially known for his evocative watercolors of Lake Tahoe, the Sierra Nevada, and Northern California landscapes. He taught at the San Francisco Mechanics’ Institute and later founded the Latimer Art Club in Reno (1921), shaping an entire generation of regional artists. His deep connection to Fallen Leaf Lake is well-documented—he first painted there in 1914 and led annual summer workshops at the site, drawn by its pristine beauty and the opportunity to work directly from nature. Today, Latimer’s mastery is celebrated in the beautifully illustrated book The Latimer School: Lorenzo Latimer and the Latimer Art Club, published by the Nevada Museum of Art in conjunction with a 2021–2022 exhibition honoring his legacy and that of his students.

Framing
Presented in a simple yet classic narrow-profile gilt frame with a soft antiqued patina, complemented by a double mat in cream with a thin inner green fillet that echoes the foliage in the painting. The restrained presentation allows the delicacy of the watercolor to be the focal point while maintaining an early 20th-century aesthetic.

Condition
The watercolor is in very good condition for its age, with vibrant color retention and no signs of fading, foxing, or mat burn. Paper surface is stable with no visible abrasions or stains. Frame and mats are in good condition with only minor wear consistent with 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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