MARTIN BAER

(American, 1894-1961)

AUTUMN IN MAUSSANE, 1930

Watercolor, Gouache and Graphite on Paper

9¾ x 14¼ Inches

Signed Lower Right, "Martin Baer",

Titled "Maussane, France"

Dated September 1930

 

An intimate modernist landscape showing a view of Maussane-les-Alpilles in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur region in southern France. A panoramic view across the stepped olive groves to the ancient town of Maussane which lies on the old Roman road linking Arles to Aix-en-Provence.

 

Martin Baer first attended the Art Institute of Chicago from 1910-1914. and, subsequently, the State Academy in Munich. In 1924, he moved to Paris where he furthered his studies at the Ecole-des-Beaux-Arts and met influential artists including Picasso, Soutine and Kremin. Between 1924 and 1940, Baer made his home in Paris while taking extended painting trips to Algeria, Spain, England, Belgium and Holland. In December of 1940, Baer left Paris for New York, and settled in Carmel, California.

 

Baer exhibited internationally with success including solo and group exhibitions at the Salon d'Automne and the Ecole-des-Beaux-Arts in Paris, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Palace of the Legion of Honor, the St. Louis Museum and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art among others. His exhibition record also includes solo exhibitions at Galleries Durand-Ruel (Paris 1926), Art Institute of Chicago (1926), Gallerie Jeune Peinture (Paris 1928), Galerie de la Renaissance (Paris 1932), Gallery M. Benezit (Paris 1936), Newhouse Galleries (New York 1928, 1936, 1941). His last one-man show was held at the California Palace of the Legion of Honor (San Francisco 1943). A retrospective entitled "A Memorial Exhibition of Paintings by Martin Baer" was held at the California Palace of the Legion of Honor (San Francisco 1963).

 

In his later years, he was appointed Director of the Carmel Art Association and continued to show regularly with solo exhibitions at museums in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and San Diego. Over the course of a distinguished career, Baer was the recipient of numerous prizes, medals and juried awards. He was also an elected member of the American Artists Professional League and the Carmel Art Association.

 

Marin Baer is well listed in all relevant art reference works including Who Was Who in American Art and Benezit which provides a signature sample. His work may be found in the permanent collections of museums worldwide including the Museum of Modern Art (NY), the Musee de Jeu de Paume (Paris), the Oakland Museum and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art among others.

 

Reference:

E. Benezit, Dictionnaire des Peintres, Sculpteurs, Dessinateurs, et Graveurs, Volume I, p.627; Who Was Who in American Art 1564-1975: 400 Years of Artists in America, Peter Hastings Falk,Sound View Press 1999, Vol.I, p.170; Artists in California 1786-1940, Third Edition, Edan Milton Hughes: Crocker Art Museum, Sheridan Books 2002, Vol.I, p.59; et al.