Marple, William Lewis (1827-1910) .

Yosemite Valley by William Lewis Marple (1827-1910) 40" x 60", Oil/Canvas, Signed Lower Left Est.: $20,000 - $30,000 Sold by John Moran Auctioneers for $23,000 on 6/21/2005 ARTIST WORLD RECORD

Painter.

Born in NYC on Feb. 16, 1827.

Sailing by clipper ship to San Francisco via Panama in 1849, Marple mined for a while in the Mother Lode country around Placerville. Abandoning his pursuit of gold, he worked as a sign and house painter in that area and, as a self-taught artist, began painting landscapes.

After moving to San Francisco in 1866, he established a studio at 432 Montgomery and in 1867 participated in a sale of paintings with several other artists including Denny, Young, Holdredge, and Bush.

In 1869 he made a trip to Europe to study the Old Masters. He visited Paris, Munich and, after a short stay in NYC, returned to San Francisco in 1871.

In that year he was instrumental in cofounding the San Francisco Art Ass'n and entered 36 pictures in the association's first exhibition.

The silvergray effects of his paintings received favorable comments at the annual Mechanics' Institute Fairs. Solomon Gump became his friend and patron, and in 1872 they opened a gallery called, "Marple & Gump's, Importers of Paintings." Gump provided the financial backing and was exclusive agent for the sale of Marple's paintings.

During the 1870s Marple was considered one of the top artists in San Francisco and was financially successful. In 1877 he left San Francisco for NYC and during 1879-80 was active in Chicago and St Louis where he was founder and director of the St Louis Art Ass'n.

In 1880 he was in Colorado prospecting and painting with Harvey Otis Young.

He died in Aspen, CO on Feb. 23, 1910.

Exh: Mechanics' Inst. (SF), 1868-78; SFAA, 1872-77.

In: Oakland Museum; Crocker Museum (Sacramento); CHS; Society of Calif. Pioneers. Invw; CSL; Calif. Landscape Painting 1860-1885; Art and Artists in Santa Cruz cat.