By Rich Reitzell
Jeweled Hills, Joseph Kleitsch, circa 1922, oil on canvas
A little over a decade ago the Jonathan Art Foundation acquired the painting Laguna Cliffs by Guy Rose which resides in the lobby to the left of the main entrance. Part of the 1985 Laguna exhibition that reignited interest in early California impressionism, the Rose painting has been regarded as one the crown jewels of the collection displayed at the Jonathan Club. Coveted by art collectors and connoisseurs, Guy Rose is one the most sought-after artists of the early California movement. Funded with the legacy gift of the Jane Lauman Trust, Laguna Cliffs elevated the collection.
Recently, the Jonathan Art Foundation, through the diligence of their Art Advisory team, found and acquired the major painting Jeweled Hills by Joseph Kleitsch, another highly sought early California artist. Identified in the organization’s Strategic Acquisition Plan as a major gap, top paintings by Kleitsch rarely come available and it is indeed a very rare collection that owns paintings by both Guy Rose and Joseph Kleitsch. While a financial stretch, the funds to acquire Jeweled Hills came from proceeds from the organization’s auctions, annual giving contributions, Circles of Support members, the recent Spring gala, supplemented by additional giving from a number of interested Jonathans.
Joseph Kleitsch was born in 1882 in the Banat region of Hungary. He began painting at the young age of seven and would continue his art training in Budapest, Munich, and Paris. He quickly became an acclaimed portrait artist with notable sitters like Franz Josef of Austria. In 1901, he emigrated to the United States spending time in Ohio, several years in Denver, and a brief period in Mexico City before arriving in Chicago. There he taught at the Art Institute of Chicago and developed a reputation for portraiture and painting the likenesses of many notable sitters. In 1920, he settled in Laguna having become aware of its allure and beauty from fellow artist Edgar Payne while in Chicago. In Laguna, he established the Kleitsch Academy of Art and soon became one of the more important plein air painters within the Laguna art colony. His favorite settings were the streets and sights around the Laguna colony. In 1925, he spent several years in Europe before returning to Laguna. He died in 1931 at the early age of 49.
Jean Stern, the widely-recognized expert on early California impressionism, notes in his popular talks that unlike many of the Laguna artists of the day who looked to the sea and the coastal rocks for their inspiration, Kleitsch often turned his back on the ocean and painted the inland-looking views of the village and the natural landscape that he loved. He was acclaimed as a natural colorist and his impressionistic brushwork was described as bold, energetic, and innovative. In describing Jeweled Hills, Stern remarks that within Kleitsch’s body of work “it’s among the most colorful, very attractive, (and of) excellent quality”. In addition, there is evidence that Jeweled Hills was a personal favorite of the artist.
True to it’s title, Jeweled Hills captures the wonderful, unspoiled beauty of Laguna in the early twentieth century. The painting is characterized by tightly constructed brushwork and wonderfully balanced composition with subtle highlights of orange, lavender, blues, and reds that create both visual interest and depth. The viewer is invited in to stand on a gentle rise behind a row of floral blooms wonderfully captured in the impressionist style of the day. The eye marvels at the rendition of the green and gold hills so representative of southern California before resting on the cluster of structures on the outskirts of young village. Enshrouded by a mix of native trees, the overall impression is one of peaceful serenity and a sense of harmony between the community and the region’s natural beauty.
This exciting acquisition is a great match with the collection’s beloved Guy Rose painting and adds considerable importance and prestige to the club’s already substantial collection of early California art. All Jonathans are understandably proud of the art displayed at the Town Club and the Jonathan Art Foundation continues to pursue its mission to build, maintain, display, and educate members and visitors alike on the great art of early California. The Jonathan Art Foundation would like to thank Scot Levitt at Bonham’s for appraising this painting and for his many years of assistance.
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