Carmel Landscape, 1900

Lockwood de Forest
American, 1850-1932
Carmel Landscape, 1900
Signed with initials L de F and dated 1900 (ll)
Oil on board
Sight 9 1/4 x 13 5/8 inches

A serene and evocative depiction of the Carmel region in California, created in 1900 by the American artist Lockwood de Forest. The composition features a sweeping view of the natural landscape, characterized by rolling hills, scattered rocks, and patches of greenery. In the distance, the horizon line suggests a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean under a soft, pastel sky. The use of muted earth tones and the delicate gradation of light across the scene create a calm and timeless atmosphere. De Forest's brushwork is subtle, yet effective, capturing the quiet beauty and expansiveness of the Carmel landscape without overwhelming detail.

Lockwood de Forest (1850–1932) was a prominent American painter, interior designer, and furniture maker. Born into a wealthy New York family, de Forest began his artistic career as a landscape painter, influenced by the Hudson River School and mentored by Frederic Edwin Church. He later became a key figure in the American Aesthetic Movement, introducing East Indian craftsmanship to the United States through his design firm and the Ahmedabad Woodcarving Company, which he co-founded during his travels in India.

Although de Forest is widely recognized for his contributions to interior design, he returned to his first love, painting, later in life, particularly after moving to Santa Barbara, California, in 1915. There, he became known for his oil sketches of Californian landscapes, capturing the region's natural beauty with a refined and peaceful style.

Lockwood de Forest's works are held in numerous prestigious collections across the United States. Some of the institutions that house his paintings and designs include:

- The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
- Santa Barbara Museum of Art, California
- Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, New York
- Art Institute of Chicago, Illinois
- Brooklyn Museum, New York

De Forest's legacy as both an artist and a designer continues to be celebrated through these collections, which showcase his unique blend of American landscape painting and international design influences.