Elmer Bischoff Original Vintage San Francisco Bay Area Figurative California Expressionism Portrait Couple on Bench Man in LA Dodgers Baseball Cap Avant Garde Fine Art Contemporary Acrylic Painting
Original vintage modern San Francisco Bay Area Figurative painting of a man in a baseball cap, (likely a L.A. Dodgers baseball cap), and a woman on a bench, by American expressionist artist, Elmer Nelson Bischoff (1916-1991). The painting is acrylic on canvas, from the side/rear view of a couple in profile, on a bench near a street with traffic. The painting is in very good to excellent original condition. The painting is signed lower left and is a magnificent example of the artist's figurative work.
Elmer Nelson Bischoff (July 9, 1916 – March 2, 1991) was a prominent visual artist based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Alongside fellow artists Richard Diebenkorn and David Park, Bischoff was part of the post-World War II generation of painters who transitioned from abstraction back to figurative art.
Born as the second child of John and Elna Bischoff in Berkeley, California, Elmer Bischoff grew up surrounded by a blend of German and Swedish-Ecuadorian heritage. His artistic journey began at the University of California, Berkeley, where he pursued a master's degree, influenced profoundly by Margaret Peterson, an artist and teacher known for her dedication and ethical approach to art.
World War II interrupted Bischoff's artistic pursuits as he served in the intelligence services of the United States Army Air Forces in England. Upon returning to San Francisco in 1945, Bischoff immersed himself in the thriving avant-garde art scene, interacting with notable figures like Mark Rothko and Clyfford Still.
In 1946, Bischoff joined the faculty of the California School of Fine Arts in San Francisco, where he crossed paths with David Park and Richard Diebenkorn. His involvement with the Bay Area Figurative Movement, while distinct from European expressionism, showcased a unique blend of immediacy and warmth reminiscent of abstract expressionist styles.
Bischoff's paintings, characterized by their quiet lyricism, offered a different perspective from the prevailing abstract expressionist trends of his time. His serious yet contemplative approach to art earned him recognition, and in 1973, he was elected as an Associate member of the National Academy of Design, later becoming a full member in 1985.
A retrospective of Bischoff's work titled "Grand Lyricist: The Art of Elmer Bischoff" was presented at the Oakland Museum of California in 2001-2002, highlighting his significant contributions to American art. His works are held in prestigious public collections across the United States, including the de Young Museum, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
Beyond his artistic endeavors, Bischoff was also the father of composer John Bischoff, adding another dimension to his legacy of artistic creativity and influence.
Elmer Bischoff
(1916-1991)
San Francisco Bay Area Figurative
California Expressionism
Acrylic on Canvas
A blonde woman next to a man in a ball cap, on a bench
Estimated at approximately late 1970's- early 1980's. (The car in the painting appears to be from the mid to late 1970s, and the clothing is from 1980's)
The paper label stapled to the side of the canvas, upon very close inspection, has two columns of serial numbers; (last image). Faded, but can be viewed by zooming image. The signature is lower left. 29.75" X 29.75"
Excellent original condition.
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