Rinaldo Cuneo Original Vintage Antique California Impressionist Tonalism Panoramic American Oil Painting Sierra Nevada Mountain Landscape
Original vintage antique mountain landscape oil painting, by American impressionist, Rinaldo Cuneo, (1877-1939). The painting is a large panoramic painting and a beautiful painting by the artist; bridging moody tonalism, with aspects revealing lighter impressionism, (almost luminist), with modernist brushstrokes. The subject appears to be the Bishop Creek Canyon, in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Rinaldo Cuneo
"The Painter of San Francisco"
Rinaldo Cuneo (July 2, 1877 – December 27, 1939) was an American artist renowned for his landscape paintings and murals, earning him the title "The Painter of San Francisco."
Early Life and Education
Born in San Francisco to an Italian American family, Rinaldo Cuneo was the second of seven children. His family lived in the North Beach neighborhood, and he later resided and worked close to his childhood home. Cuneo served in the Navy during the Spanish–American War and afterward worked in the family steamship ticket agency while studying art at the Mark Hopkins Institute of Art under noted instructors such as Arthur Frank Mathews and Gottardo Piazzoni. His education continued in London and at the Académie Colarossi in Paris.
Artistic Career
Cuneo was best known for his oil paintings of San Francisco Bay Area landscapes, cityscapes, marine scenes, and still lifes. He exhibited his work extensively, including at the 1915 Panama–Pacific International Exposition and major Bay Area exhibits until his death. His early work reflected Tonalism, influenced by his teacher James Abbott McNeill Whistler, later adopting a lighter palette associated with Impressionism and eventually incorporating Modernist elements.
From 1916 to 1917, Cuneo worked for a tugboat service, painting maritime scenes in his spare time. He also taught at the California School of Fine Arts during several summer sessions.
Notable Works and Recognition
Cuneo was commissioned in 1934 by the Public Works of Art Project to paint murals for the Coit Tower in San Francisco. His paintings were featured in the inaugural exhibition of the San Francisco Museum of Art in 1935, where his work "California Hills" won the Purchase Prize. Despite his critical success, the Great Depression impacted his ability to sell his paintings, leading to feelings of personal failure.
Legacy
After his death, many of his previously unseen works were discovered and exhibited posthumously at various prominent venues, including the San Francisco Museum of Art and the de Young Museum. Cuneo's work is held in several museum collections, such as the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Oakland Museum of California, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Exhibitions and Collections
Cuneo's work was exhibited in London, Paris, Rome, New York, and Los Angeles, and featured in prestigious institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, and the California Palace of the Legion of Honor. A 2009 retrospective at the Museo ItaloAmericano showcased the works of Rinaldo and his artist brothers, Cyrus and Egisto Cuneo.
Rinaldo Cuneo remains celebrated for his ability to capture the essence and atmosphere of California landscapes.
Rinaldo Cuneo
(1877-1939)
San Francisco, California
Impressionism, Modernism, Tonalism
Oil on Canvas
24" X 48", plus frame
The painting is still housed in the original late 1930s carved wood frame, with hearts, and a crescent moon-shaped carved design
The painting's age is estimated at approximately 1937
Signed into the paint, lower left corner, "Rinaldo"
Excellent original condition. No previous chemical restorations or in-painting. All paint is original to the painting.
Painting is very large, and will require special packing, for oversized packages. Local pick up in Los Angeles, is also available.
Contact Us: pacificfineart@gmail.com Ph: 424-259-3290