Drawing of Seated Man With Female Apparition by Granville Redmond

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On offer is a work which was part of a book of drawings by Granville Redmond (1871-1935). The moody, lamp-lit … Read more On offer is a work which was part of a book of drawings by Granville Redmond (1871-1935). The moody, lamp-lit scene of a man at his desk, a bottle within easy reach, and the ghostly apparition of at least one woman, is the antithesis of the wildflower-filled, sunshine-warmed landscapes of Southern California’s hills that brought this painter renown. Which is precisely what makes this and the other four sketches by this artist, each offered separately, so interesting. Mr. Redmond’s brush with early Hollywood as well as an enduring friendship with silent film titan Charlie Chapman may have led to such reflective moments.
Born in Philadelphia, Redmond contracted scarlet fever and became deaf in early childhood. His family moved west so that he could attend the California School for the Deaf in Berkeley, California. Showing early talent in art, Redmond won a scholarship to the Académie Julien in Paris. Chaplin met the painter in Los Angeles, began collecting his paintings and reached out to him for help as a deaf person to develop expression techniques for his silent film performances. Chaplin eventually gave him a painting studio on the movie lot, likely a first for someone who wasn’t there to create film backdrops.
Redmond’s work can be seen in numerous museum collections, especially in California. These include Sacramento’s Crocker Art Museum, the Laguna Art Museum in Laguna Beach, and the UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art, today holding the pre-eminent collection of California Impressionism.
Lastly, a fun fact about Granville Redmond: he made uncredited appearances in several of Chaplin’s films, including his renowned “City Lights.”
Signature/Maker’s mark: indecipherable, lower right. Unframed dimensions: 9”h x 7.25”w. See less