Lot 466: Carl Moon Western Landscape O/C

Carl Everton Moon (American, 1879-1948), “Arizona,” oil on board painting depicting a lone figure on horseback riding through a desert landscape, under a bright blue sky dotted with clouds. Signed lower left and titled en verso. Housed in a molded giltwood frame with carved stylized leaf decoration at corners. Sight: 19 1/2 in. H x 25 1/2 in. W. Frame: 24 1/2 in. H x 30 1/2 in. W. Biography: Ohio born Carl Moon moved to Albuquerque, NM after graduating from college and operated a photography studio.  He worked there until 1907 when he moved to the Grand Canyon headquarters of Fred Harvey to manage and operate Harvey’s art business. Moon studied painting with visiting artists Thomas Moran, Frank Sauerwein, and Louis Akin.  While in the Southwest he captured many images of the Pueblo Indians both on film and canvas. He and his wife Grace Purdie settled in Pasadena in 1914. In California he concentrated on landscapes and illustrated several children’s books about Native Americans which he co-authored with his wife. He was a member of the Pasadena Art Association; the Pasadena Library Club; and the California Writer’s Guild. Source: Edan Hughes, “Artists in California 1786-1940”, American Art Annual 1933, Who’s Who in American Art 1936-47; Artists of the American West (Samuels); NY Times & Los Angeles Times obituaries, June 26, 1948.
 

PROVENANCE: The Estate of Stacy Widelitz. Mr. Widelitz was an award winning composer and songwriter, and a noted photographer. He led numerous arts boards in Nashville after relocating from Los Angeles in 2000, and served as an Oak Hill (TN) City Commissioner 2016-2020.

CONDITION: Overall good condition. A couple of scattered inclusions, mostly to sky area; 1 tiny darkened dent center sky area, near horizon. A couple of small flakes at painting edges. Some scattered spots of craquelure to sky area. Some scattered small losses to gilding on frame, mostly at edges and corners.