Paul Grimm

Mount San Jacinto with Desert Bloom, c. 1950

• Oil on canvas
• 24" x 36", artwork
• 31" x 43" x 1.5", framed
• Historic

Not Available

Provenance
Consigned to American Legacy Fine Arts, Pasadena, California; By descent to a private collector, Encino, California; Acquired circa 2015 by a private collector, Palo Alto, San Carlos, and Oceanside, California.

Description
This large-scale oil painting by Paul Grimm is a quintessential example of the artist’s celebrated desert landscapes and a commanding representation of the California desert in full spring bloom. The painting likely captures the view from the Coachella Valley toward Mount San Jacinto, with richly detailed mountain ridges rendered in layered purples, grays, and sunlit ochres. The desert floor in the foreground bursts with the seasonal brilliance of wildflowers that appear to be sand verbena and desert primrose set among creosote and mesquite shrubs. This vibrant detail, paired with Grimm’s sensitive rendering of form and shadow, underscores the artist’s deep affinity for the desert landscape and affirms his reputation as one of the foremost painters of the California desert.

Historical Significance
Paul Grimm, a German-born American painter, moved to Palm Springs in 1932 and became one of the most recognized chroniclers of the Coachella Valley and its surrounding mountains. His paintings are valued not only as works of art but also as historical records of the desert before large-scale development. Grimm was a favorite among Hollywood stars and visiting dignitaries, and his gallery in Palm Springs became a landmark for collectors. Large-scale works such as this, combining his signature mountain profiles with a foreground of blooming desert flora, are considered among his most desirable compositions and rarely appear on the market.

Framing
The work is presented in a period-appropriate carved and molded wood frame finished in muted antiqued gold with a cream-toned inner liner. The frame’s soft tones harmonize with the painting’s warm palette while drawing attention inward to the richly textured landscape. Its style is consistent with mid-century California framing traditions, complementing the plein air heritage of Grimm’s work.

Condition
Very good. Professionally cleaned and revarnished in 2015, with no visible losses or overpainting. The surface maintains strong color vibrancy, and the canvas is taut on its stretcher. The frame shows minimal, age-appropriate wear and is ready for display.

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

Published
American Art Review, Advertisement, August-October 2025

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