Richard DeTreville (1864-1929) stands as a noteworthy, if sometimes overlooked, figure in the rich tapestry of American art, particularly within the burgeoning Californian art scene of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. An artist of French lineage, DeTreville dedicated his talents to capturing the diverse and majestic landscapes of his adopted state, working proficiently in both oils and watercolors. His life and career offer a fascinating glimpse into the artistic currents of his time, the allure of the American West, and the dedication required to forge an artistic path.
Early Life and Formative Influences
Born in Beaufort, South Carolina, in 1864, Richard DeTreville hailed from a family with a distinguished and rather dramatic American history. His ancestry was French, a heritage that perhaps instilled in him an appreciation for aesthetic pursuits. More strikingly, his grandfather was reputed to have fought alongside George Washington during the American Revolutionary War, a testament to a deep-rooted connection to the nation's founding. Further embedding the family in American historical narratives, DeTreville's father served as the Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina at the time of Richard's birth, a period coinciding with the tumultuous American Civil War.
This significant familial background, steeped in military and political service, might seem at odds with the quieter, observational life of a landscape painter. However, such a heritage could also have fostered a strong sense of identity, resilience, and perhaps a unique perspective on the American land. Details regarding DeTreville's formal artistic training are scarce, leading to the plausible speculation that he was largely self-taught. If so, this path would have allowed him a greater degree of freedom to develop his own style, unconstrained by academic conventions, relying instead on direct observation and personal experimentation.
The Call of California and Early Career
The pivotal moment in DeTreville's artistic journey appears to be his relocation to California in 1892. The Golden State, with its dramatic scenery, unique light, and burgeoning cultural centers, was a powerful magnet for artists from across the nation and abroad. Upon his arrival, DeTreville initially settled in Stockton, where he demonstrated an entrepreneurial and creative spirit by founding a small newspaper, intriguingly titled Det's Magazine. This venture suggests a multifaceted personality, one engaged with communication and perhaps visual storytelling in a broader sense, even before fully dedicating himself to painting.
His path soon led him to San Francisco, the vibrant cultural heart of California. There, his activities diversified further. He is noted to have worked as a cartoonist in Prescott Park, an experience that would have honed his skills in observation, character, and rapid execution – qualities that can subtly inform even the most serious landscape art. Concurrently, he began to establish himself as a painter, maintaining a studio on Clement Street where he could develop his canvases and showcase his work. This period marked his transition into a dedicated fine artist, with the Californian landscape becoming his principal muse.
Artistic Style and Thematic Focus
Richard DeTreville's oeuvre is primarily characterized by his landscape paintings, executed in both oil and watercolor. He was particularly drawn to the varied natural beauty of California. His subjects included the iconic grandeur of Yosemite Valley, the serene allure of Lake Tahoe, the picturesque qualities of the San Francisco Bay Area, and the deep, atmospheric forests of Northern California. These locations were, and remain, central to the Californian artistic identity, offering endless inspiration through their scale, light, and unique ecological features.
While landscape painting formed the core of his output, DeTreville also undertook portraiture, though these works are considered less common in his overall body of work. His landscape paintings are often described as delicate and fine in their depiction, suggesting a sensitive handling of paint and a keen eye for detail and atmospheric effect. Without specific titles of widely recognized masterpieces readily available, works such as his "Forest Landscapes," like the pair of oil paintings (approximately 10 3/8 x 6 1/2 inches each) noted in auction records, serve as examples of his thematic concerns. These intimate portrayals of woodland scenes likely captured the filtered light and dense textures of California's forests.
His signature varied, sometimes appearing as a concise "DeT," and at other times the fuller "DeTreville," providing a means of identifying his hand. The choice of medium, whether the rich textures of oil or the luminous transparency of watercolor, would have been dictated by the subject and the desired atmospheric effect, showcasing his versatility.
Navigating the Californian Art World
DeTreville was active during a dynamic period for art in California. The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the rise of what is often termed California Impressionism or the Plein-Air movement, though Tonalism also had a strong presence. Artists flocked to the state, inspired by its unique light and landscape, forming art colonies and exhibiting societies. DeTreville participated in this environment, exhibiting his works in various venues.
A significant platform for his art was the White House Department Store in San Francisco, a prominent establishment that, like many department stores of the era, hosted art exhibitions, making art accessible to a wider public. It's recorded that a 1926 catalogue from the White House Department Store featured an impressive 250 of his oil paintings, indicating a prolific output and a degree of commercial success. His works were also handled by art agencies, such as Shrewsbury & Somervell, which would have facilitated sales and increased his visibility.
Furthermore, DeTreville was a member of the American Art Bureau, being elected to this body in 1926. Membership in such organizations provided artists with professional affiliation, exhibition opportunities, and a network of peers. While specific interactions with other prominent Californian artists of his time are not extensively documented in the provided information, he would have been working within a milieu that included figures like William Keith, known for his epic, Tonalist landscapes of California; Thomas Hill, famed for his grand depictions of Yosemite and the White Mountains; and Albert Bierstadt, whose earlier, monumental paintings of the American West had set a precedent for landscape art in the region.
Other contemporaries or near-contemporaries who shaped the Californian art scene included Maynard Dixon, with his powerful portrayals of the desert Southwest; Granville Redmond, a Tonalist and Impressionist painter known for his California poppy fields and coastal scenes, who was also deaf; Guy Rose, a leading figure of California Impressionism, influenced by his time in Giverny; and the husband-and-wife duo Elmer Wachtel and Marion Kavanagh Wachtel, both celebrated for their sensitive plein-air landscapes. Artists like Percy Gray, known for his delicate watercolor landscapes, often featuring oaks and eucalyptus, and Xavier Martinez, a Tonalist painter and printmaker with a distinctive style, also contributed to the artistic vibrancy of the period. Further, the more ethereal and poetic Tonalist works of Gottardo Piazzoni would have been part of this rich artistic environment. DeTreville's focus on the "delicate" rendering of landscapes might suggest an affinity with the more intimate aspects of Tonalism or the refined brushwork found in some Impressionist-influenced works.
The broader American landscape tradition, stemming from the Hudson River School painters like Thomas Cole and Asher B. Durand, had established landscape painting as a significant genre in American art, celebrating the natural wonder of the continent. Artists like DeTreville continued this legacy, albeit with regional focuses and evolving stylistic approaches influenced by later movements.
Anecdotes and Personal Details
Beyond his artistic endeavors, the anecdotal information about DeTreville's family history adds a layer of intrigue. The connection to George Washington and his father's role as Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina during the Civil War are compelling biographical details that paint a picture of a family deeply involved in pivotal moments of American history. This lineage, combined with his potential self-taught artistic path, suggests an individual of considerable self-reliance and perhaps a non-conformist streak.
His early venture into publishing with Det's Magazine and his work as a cartoonist also hint at a versatile and communicative personality, someone engaged with the world through various creative outlets. These experiences, though perhaps secondary to his painting career, would have undoubtedly contributed to his overall artistic sensibility and worldview.
Legacy, Collections, and Market Presence
Richard DeTreville passed away in Alameda, California, in 1929. His death marked the end of a career dedicated to capturing the essence of the Californian landscape. While he may not have achieved the same level of widespread fame as some of his contemporaries, his contributions are preserved and recognized through various channels.
His works are held in the collections of several important Californian institutions. The California Historical Society, a key repository for the state's rich past, includes his paintings, recognizing their value as both artistic creations and historical documents of California's landscapes. The Oakland Museum of California (referred to as Oakland History Museum or Oakland Museum in the source material) also holds examples of his work, further cementing his place within the narrative of California art. Additionally, the Almaden Historical Society (or Alma Historical Society) is noted as a custodian of his art, indicating a regional appreciation for his depictions of local scenery.
DeTreville's paintings continue to appear on the art market, attesting to an ongoing interest among collectors. For instance, a pair of his oil paintings, "Forest Landscapes," measuring approximately 10 3/8 x 6 1/2 inches each and depicting woodland scenes, were offered at auction with an estimate of $400 to $600 (the auction date mentioned varies between August 2023 and August 2024 in the provided text, but the presence itself is notable). While these estimates might seem modest compared to those for blockbuster names, they indicate a consistent, if niche, market for his work. The condition of such pieces, sometimes with frames showing wear, is typical for art of this vintage that has been privately held.
The fact that his works are collected by historical societies as well as art museums underscores their dual significance: as aesthetic objects and as visual records of California's natural heritage before the extensive development of the later 20th century. His paintings offer viewers a window into the California that DeTreville experienced and cherished.
Conclusion: An Enduring Vision of California
Richard DeTreville's artistic legacy is that of a dedicated chronicler of California's natural beauty. From the grandeur of its mountains and valleys to the intimacy of its forests, his work reflects a deep connection to the land. Operating within a vibrant and competitive art scene, he carved out a niche for himself, producing a significant body of work that found its way into public collections and private hands.
While perhaps not a radical innovator in the mold of avant-garde figures, DeTreville represents the skilled and sincere artist who captures the spirit of their time and place. His proficiency in both oil and watercolor, his focus on the diverse Californian terrains, and his active participation in the state's art world secure his position as a valuable contributor to American regional art. His life, from his historically rich Southern upbringing to his career in the dynamic West, adds another layer to the complex story of American artistic development. Through his surviving works, Richard DeTreville continues to share his vision of California, a vision that remains appealing for its sensitivity and its genuine appreciation of the natural world. His paintings serve as a quiet reminder of the enduring allure of landscape art and the artists who dedicate themselves to its practice.
