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ALSON CLARK

Alson Clark is remembered as one of southern California’s finest early Impressionist artists. He was a successful and influential plein-air painter and art teacher, and was inspired by the French Impressionist movement. He is known for his landscapes, figurative works, interior scenes, and cityscapes and is particularly remembered for his mastery of atmospheric and lighting effects.

Born in Chicago to a wealthy family, Alson Clark initially enrolled at the Art Institute and then took a two year long journey around the world with his parents and was exposed to a wide variety of artwork, especially European paintings. He moved to New York in 1896 to study at the Art Students League with William Merritt Chase. He then studied at Chase’s summer school of plein-aire painting at Shinnecock. In 1898 Clark moved to Paris to study at a school directed by James McNeill Whistler, the Academie Carmen. His work was strongly influenced by Whistler throughout his long successful career.

Returning to the U.S. in 1901, he married, then lived with his wife in Paris from 1902 to 1914. During his time in France, he painted in 1910 in Giverny with his fellow artist, Guy Rose. His style became more strongly influenced by Impressionism and his palette became lighter than it has been during his years with Whistler.

In 1913 Clark was drawn to visit and paint the construction of the Panama Canal. He eventually was invited to hold a solo exhibition at the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco, an honor bestowed on very few American artists at that time, and was awarded a bronze medal. He enlisted in the Navy during World War I and afterwards, in 1919, Clark settled in Southern California where he, along with Guy Rose, taught at the Stickney School in Pasadena. He later became Director of the school. He continued painting, and was particularly interested in scenes of the California Missions including San Gabriel and San Juan Capistrano. He also traveled and painted desert and mountain landscapes in Mexico and the Southwestern United States.

Alson Clark’s paintings have been exhibited at numerous prestigious venues including the National Academy of Design, the Paris Salon, the Los Angeles County Museum and the Art Institute of Chicago. In 1921 his works were shown in a solo exhibition organized by Earl Stendahl, an important art dealer based in Southern California.

In 1925 he was commissioned by the Pasadena Playhouse to paint a large stage curtain, and he began a series of other commissioned works, including many well received murals. He and his wife continued traveling when possible, in both the United States and Europe.

Clark’s health eventually declined, and he died in March 1949.

For additional information visit:
Alson S. Clark - Wikipedia
University Club of Pasadena