Peter Petersen Toft

Seal Rock at Cliff House, San Francisco, 1886

• Watercolor on paper
• 14.75" x 10.25", artwork
• 24.25" x 19.75" x 1.25", framed
• Historic

$6,000

Provenance
Consigned to American Legacy Fine Arts, Pasadena, California; By descent to a private collector, Encino, California; Acquired in June 1998 by a private collector, San Carlos, Palo Alto, and Oceanside, California, from The Pasadena Center, American Painting Sale, Pasadena, California

Description
This finely detailed watercolor by Danish-born artist Peter Petersen Toft captures the dramatic coastal scenery of Seal Rock and the historic Cliff House in San Francisco, a beloved landmark that has witnessed multiple reconstructions due to fire and storm damage. The Cliff House seen here resembles its second iteration (built in 1863 and expanded in 1868), which stood until the catastrophic fire of 1894. This painting is dated March 2, 1886, during a period when the Cliff House was a prime destination for visitors to the Pacific coast.

Toft’s mastery of watercolor is evident in the carefully rendered surf breaking around Seal Rock, home to colonies of sea lions, which appear as dark silhouettes on the rocks in the distance. Beyond the rugged shoreline, sailing vessels are visible on the horizon, adding a sense of scale and narrative to this bustling maritime scene. Toft’s work is noted for its accuracy and sensitivity to natural light, qualities that made him a popular painter among both locals and travelers in 19th-century California.

Historical Significance
* Seal Rock and the Cliff House are among the most historically significant and recognizable landmarks of San Francisco. The Cliff House was a symbol of the city's post-Gold Rush prosperity and West Coast tourism.
* Paintings from this era that document the second Cliff House are rare, as the structure was destroyed by fire in 1894, and its imagery primarily survives through period photographs and art.
* Toft, who immigrated from Denmark and became part of California's early art community, frequently painted coastal landscapes and is considered an important early documentarian of California's maritime scenery.

Frame Description
The painting is presented in a traditional gold-leaf wood frame with a silk mat and gilt fillet, complementing the warm tones of the painting.

Labels on Verso:
American Legacy Fine Arts, Pasadena, California
Braarud Fine Art, La Conner, Washington

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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