The Watercolors of Lorenzo Latimer

Lorenzo Palmer Latimer, widely known for his peaceful watercolor landscapes of northern California, Lake Tahoe, and the Sierra Nevada Mountains, was born in Placer County. After spending time as a child near the rolling hills on a ranch with his family in Windsor, California, the Latimers moved to San Francisco in 1869. Studying at the School of Design there, he graduated in 1882 and opened his own studio on Clay Street. As a member of the raucous, partying circle of artist Jules Tavernier (1844 – 1889), his career languished during this period, though he likely enjoyed himself very much.


Around 1833, when Latimer was in his mid-twenties, he began to teach outdoor painting classes, primarily to groups of women, who eventually, in 1916, became known collectively as the “Latimers”. Members of this group later became the founders of the Nevada Art Gallery, which eventually formed the basis for the Nevada Museum of Art. Latimer arranged many painting trips to Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada Mountains. In 1914, he spent three summer months near Tahoe at Fallen Leaf and returned every summer for the remainder of his life.  A fine example of a watercolor from Fallen Leaf is shown below, including a lovely, quiet, contemplative composition inscribed on the back of the painting: “The Mountains from the long trail to the top of Mount Tallac - Fallen Leaf and Glen Alpine Region, 1916”.

Fallen Leaf Lake      SOLD

Influenced by Tavernier, he later became especially fascinated with the creation of paintings of California Redwood scenes.

Lorenzo Latimer’s works were often exhibited with the San Francisco Art Association, and he was later elected to artist membership in the exclusive Bohemian Club.

The Bohemian Club, located at 624 Taylor Street, San Francisco

From 1893 to 1894, he taught at the Mark Hopkins Insitute, whose name was later changed to the California School of Design. Much of his work was lost entirely in the earthquake and fire of 1906, and he moved, at that time, across the bay to Berkeley. Beginning in 1916, he regularly taught painting classes in Reno, Nevada.

Highway to Reno  SOLD

Lorenzo Latimer died on January 14, 1941 in Berkeley, and will always be remembered for his delicate watercolors that so gracefully captured the beauty of the California Redwoods, the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and the Lake Tahoe area.

Washoe Lake   SOLD

For additional information regarding available paintings by Lorenzo Latimer or other early California artists, please call (800) 833-9185 or visit our website at www.kargesfineart.com