Raphael, Joseph

Learn about the artists we sell at John Moran Auctions

Within this section you may browse and research the many artists we have sold at auction.

Artists are listed by last name. Click the artist name for a complete background profile; click icon images for larger views. Search by name in the Search Box, or jump around by clicking on any of the letters below.

*The following search function may not work properly with all web browsers. If this is the case, you can use the alphabetical indeces below to narrow your search.

Search CalArt

Latest News

Who We Are

California Art Auction is a service of John Moran Auctioneers, the leading auction house specializing in California art.

Raphael, Joseph

Raphael, Joseph (1869-1950).

Figures in a Garden by Joseph Raphael (1869-1950)

31.5" x 37.5", Oil/Canvas, Signed

Est.: $200,000 - $300,000
Sold by John Moran Auctioneers for $198,000 on 010/29/2002

Considered a foremost exponent of pure French Impressionism, Joseph Raphael spent much of his career in Europe although California lays a strong claim to him. He was both a painter and etcher and was born in Jackson, California in 1869.

At age eighteen, Raphael began a ten-year study period at the School of Design in San Francisco under Arthur Mathews and Douglas Tilden. In 1902 he furthered his art studies in Paris at Ecole des Beaux-Arts and Academie Julian under Laurens. Europe remained his home for the next thirty-seven years, spending most of his time in Holland, France, and Belgium while his San Francisco agent exhibited his paintings regularly in local shows.

With World War II approaching, he moved to San Francisco in 1939 and maintained a studio at 345 Sutter Street until his death on December 11, 1950.

His early works were influenced by Dutch genre painting, but his proximity to the French Impressionists soon lightened his palette. Internationally known, he was one of the foremost advocates of Impressionism in California. He was primarily an oil painter, and his oeuvre also includes watercolors, etching, pen and ink drawings, and woodcuts.

He had a family of five children and often used them as models in settings of flower and vegetable gardens. He was a member of the San Francisco Art Association and the California Society of Etchers.

Source: Artists in California, 1786-1940 by Edan Hughes

Join the John Moran Auctioneers mailing list

Be first to find out what’s new!

Find out the latest in exclusive alerts and auction events, join our email list today! Be the first to be notified about new acquisitions or consignment opportunities. At John Moran Auctioneers, we consider your privacy to be our primary importance; we do not share your information or inquires with anyone, period.

At the bottom of each email you will be provided with the option to update your collecting interests, or unsubscribe from future mailings. You may also send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and request that your email address be changed or removed from our list.

Join the John Moran Auctioneers mailing list

Be first to find out what’s new!

Find out the latest in exclusive alerts and auction events, join our email list today! Be the first to be notified about new acquisitions or consignment opportunities. At John Moran Auctioneers, we consider your privacy to be our primary importance; we do not share your information or inquires with anyone, period.

At the bottom of each email you will be provided with the option to update your collecting interests, or unsubscribe from future mailings. You may also send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and request that your email address be changed or removed from our list.