Oil Painting “Sangre de Cristo Range” [SOLD]

Carl Von Hassler, who moved to Albuquerque in the early 1920s, was known as the "Dean of the Albuquerque Art Colony." Born in Bremen, Germany, Von Hassler attended the Dusseldorf Art Academy. When he came to the United States, he lived for a while in Greenwich Village in New York and was a member of the famed painters who called themselves the "Greenwich Ash Can Group."

For a time after moving to Albuquerque, Von Hassler was given room and board at the downtown Franciscan Hotel. He was encouraged to paint at the hotel to lure tourists into staying there. He later established his studio in Albuquerque's Old Town. For 47 years, he painted New Mexico scenes and became an Albuquerque legend. Almost everyone living in Albuquerque in the 1940s through the 1960s knew him and had a story they could relate about him. He was known as a very dapper person and seems to have been loved by everyone who knew him in Albuquerque.

This painting is very representative of Von Hassler's northern New Mexico landscapes, although it is much larger than most of his works.  Large paintings express his talents more accurately than the smaller quick ones he painted so he could make a fast sale.  Large ones took time and patience and more careful attention.  They were apparently ones he enjoyed working on when time permitted.

This painting is entitled “Sangre de Cristo Range” on verso.  It is signed in lower left but not dated.  It probably dates from the mid-twentieth century. 

In the foreground, von Hassler placed many green chamissa that would identify the season as late spring as they have not yet gone to bloom.  The hillside is a beautiful brick red color adding warmth to the green colors.  As the viewer sees deeper into the painting, there are pinon trees in a band across the middle of the painting.  The backdrop to the painting is the majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountain of Santa Fe.  The clouds hovering over the mountain are picking up a dark color announcing impending rain.

The painting is one which exudes a feeling of peace and quiet.  There is nothing of action or motion.  The color palette is warm and the mood is restful.  This is Von Hassler at his best.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: from the home of a gentleman in Albuquerque who proudly displayed it for decades.

Recommended Reading:  Masters of Western Art by Mary Carroll Nelson