Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is in the public domain. Granville Redmond died in 1935; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 2005.
In context
Passing Shadows — Granville Redmond
Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 64 at death.
Painted when the artist was 36. The artist lived to 64. 2 of the 11 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.
Shaded: the lifetime of Granville Redmond (1871–1935) ▲ this work, 1907 every dated painting, decade by decade
First works: up to 1907 Main working years: 1907–1918 Late works: from 1918
Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them
Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.
More works to set beside this one: topimpressionists.com/en/art/similar/granville-redmond-passing-shadows-8YDLL3-en/
Measured from the image
Main colour
Putty #cec9c1
Catalogued palette
These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour
The ten leading countries
Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.
Together these works take 100.0% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 15 works by this artist, of which 5 were looked at at least once. This painting has not been looked at yet in that time — it closes the list without a rank. The same counts, month by month
Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.
Artist and museum
Born in Philadelphia, United States of America
Granville Redmond (1871–1935) stands as a singular figure in American art history—a landscape painter who simultaneously embraced the muted, atmospheric depths of Tonalism and the vibrant, sun-drenched luminosity of California Impressionism. His life was defined by a profound sensory experience; born in Philadelphia to hearing parents, Redmond’s world became one of silence following a bout of scarlet fever in his early childhood. This transformative loss of hearing did not diminish his connection to the world but rather redirected it, sharpening his visual perception and fostering a deep, contemplative relationship with the natural environment. His journey from the East Coast to San Jose, California, was driven by the need for specialized education at the Berkeley School for the Deaf, a move that would ultimately place him in the heart of the landscapes that would become his lifelong muse.
The foundations of Redmond’s mastery were laid during his formative years at the Berkeley School for the Deaf, where the guidance of Theo D’Estrella proved pivotal. D’Estrella recognized a burgeoning brilliance within the young artist, nurturing his technical skills and encouraging him to translate the silent rhythms of nature onto canvas. This early training provided more than just brushwork proficiency; it instilled an appreciation for visual expression as a primary language. As he matured, Redmond sought further refinement at the California School of Design in San and Francisco, studying under influential figures such as Arthur Frank Mathews and Amédée Joullin. His dedication to the craft was rewarded with the prestigious W. E. Brown Medal of Excellence, signaling his arrival as a significant voice in the American West.
Redmond’s oeuvre is characterized by a breathtaking duality, where the somber, evocative moods of Tonalism meet the exuberant energy of Impressionism. His landscapes often feature the iconic California scenery—rolling poppy fields, rugged coastal vistas, and sun-dappled woodlands—rendered with a sophisticated understanding of light. In works such as Poppy Field with Oaks and Lupines, one can witness his ability to use bold colors and thick, textured brushstrokes to evoke the tactile essence of the earth. Yet, even in his most vibrant compositions, there remains an underlying sense of serenity and stillness, a reflection of the quietude that permeated his daily existence. He possessed a rare ability to capture the fleeting transitions of the day, from the warm, golden hues of a sunset through the trees to the cool, misty atmosphere of an evening in Laguna.
Beyond the canvas, Redmond’s life was woven into the cultural fabric of early Hollywood and the burgeoning California art scene. He maintained deep connections with fellow artists, such as Gottardo Piazzoni, sharing a mutual passion for the landscape and a unique bond forged through sign language. His versatility even extended to the silver screen; as an occasional actor, he shared a friendship and professional connection with the legendary Charlie Chaplin. This intersection of fine art and silent film mirrors the themes of his painting—a world where visual storytelling transcends the need for spoken word, and where light and shadow communicate the profound beauty of a world experienced through sight and soul.
The historical significance of Granville Redmond lies in his ability to synthesize disparate artistic movements into a cohesive, uniquely Californian aesthetic. He did not merely document the landscape; he interpreted its spirit. His work serves as a vital record of the natural splendor of the American West during a period of profound transition. Through his eyes, we see the California landscape not just as scenery, but as a living, breathing entity capable of expressing both the melancholy of shadow and the triumph of light.
Today, Redmond is remembered as a master of atmosphere whose contributions to American Impressionism remain indispensable. His legacy continues to inspire those who find beauty in the quiet details of the natural world, reminding us that true vision often requires a stillness of the senses. His paintings stand as enduring monuments to a life lived with extraordinary perception, proving that even in silence, one can create a visual symphony that resonates across generations.
topimpressionists.com/en/art/download/granville-redmond-passing-shadows-8YDLL3-en/
Look closely
Passing Shadows — Granville Redmond
Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.
Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.
The colors of "Passing Shadows" show a bright balance luminance.
In "Passing Shadows", a statement contrast is paired with a strong color unity harmony.
Granville Redmond was 36 years old when creating "Passing Shadows" in 1907. The age is computed from the artist's birth year, 1871.