1950s Bert G. Phillips (1868–1956) "Fall Aspens" Watercolor Painting

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Bert Geer Phillips (1868–1956) "Fall Aspens" Watercolor painting

Medium: Watercolor on paper
Dimensions: 13.75" H x 10.75" W (sight); 22.5" … Read more Bert Geer Phillips (1868–1956) "Fall Aspens" Watercolor painting

Medium: Watercolor on paper
Dimensions: 13.75" H x 10.75" W (sight); 22.5" H x 19.5" W x 0.75" D (framed)
Frame: Custom wood frame with inside reeding on frame.
Signature: Signed “PHillips” lower right
Condition: Painting in good condition; matting shows age-related discoloration. Minor imperfections to the frame.

Description:
This evocative watercolor by Bert Geer Phillips, a founding member of the Taos Society of Artists, captures the quiet beauty of an autumn day in the American Southwest. A winding path meanders through a stand of tall aspen trees, their white bark and golden foliage rendered in soft, natural tones of yellow, orange, brown, and green. A single pine tree stands prominently among the aspens, providing a rich contrast of evergreen color. Light filters gently through the trees, creating a tranquil atmosphere emblematic of Phillips’ sensitive approach to landscape. The work is signed "PHillips" in the lower right corner and is presented in a rustic carved frame, enhancing its regional character.
Please note we have a separate listing of another Watercolor painting by Bert Geer Phillips if you are interested in purchasing a pair.

Please note we have a separate listing of another Watercolor painting by Bert Geer Phillips if you are interested in purchasing a pair.

Artist Bio: Bert Geer Phillips (1868–1956)

Bert Geer Phillips was an American painter and a central figure in the development of Southwestern art. Born in Hudson, New York, he studied at the Art Students League in New York and later at the Académie Julian in Paris, where he absorbed the principles of Impressionism. His life and career took a decisive turn in 1898 when, during a planned trip to Mexico, a train accident led him to stop in Taos, New Mexico. Enchanted by the region’s light, landscape, and Native American culture, Phillips chose to remain, becoming one of the first Anglo artists to permanently settle in Taos.

In 1912, Phillips co-founded the Taos Society of Artists alongside Ernest L. Blumenschein and others, playing a vital role in establishing Taos as a major American art colony. His work—primarily watercolors and oils—frequently depicted the surrounding landscapes, Pueblo architecture, and Native American life, often focusing on the poetic qualities of light and atmosphere.


Phillips’ style combined Impressionist technique with a deep reverence for the cultural and natural richness of New Mexico. His paintings are held in notable institutions such as the Harwood Museum of Art, and his legacy remains integral to the history of American Western art. See less