William Ritschel
American, 1864-1949

Surf Crashing on Rocks, n.d.
oil on canvas
30 1/4 x 40 in.

SBMA, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Christian Title
1992.12.7



William Ritschel in his studio (photographed by Peter A. Juley & Son), 1896



William Ritschel, Evening Tide, California Coast, 1926

COMMENTS

(Comments on Evening Tide, California Coast)

William Ritschel was a fixture in the Carmel area for many years. In 1918, the same year he was elected to the National Academy of Design, Ritschel began building, by hand, a stone castle along the Carmel cliffs. The home still exists today, just above the Pacific. Ritschel painted many of his coastal scenes in and around this home, named Castellammare. The numerous nearby rock outcroppings were perfect vantage points for painting majestic views of the ocean and cliffs. In fact, Ritschel was a local fixture for years, commonly seen perched high atop the Carmel cliffs, easel at hand, dressed in a colorful sarong and floppy hat. Evening Tide, California Coast is typical of many of Ritschel's impressionistic coastal scenes compositionally. However, it is particularly large in format and unique in the artist's inclusion of a pod of seals. Ritschel was a master at capturing the power of the sea. In Evening Tide, California Coast, one can almost hear the surf as it crashes against the cliffs. He captures the late afternoon light beautifully, in the distance and in the reflection of sun on the wet rocks. The result is a potent scene, glorifying the marvels of nature and the force of the sea.

- Bonhams California and Western Paintings