Name/Title
'The Ridge Trail' oil painting, by Gertrude A. Brooks, prior to 1947Entry/Object ID
2012.52.1Description
Acc. No. 12.52.1
Subject Category: Artists of Alameda
Date or Period: Pre-1947
Object: Painting, framed
Description: Oil painting on canvas, subject is a redwood grove and signed on the lower right hand corner, "G. A. Brooks.'' The reverse side of the canvas is signed in ink, "The Ridge Trail by Gertrude A. Brooks.'' The painting is in a period frame with an antique gold finish. There is a horizontal slit in the canvas that needs professional restoration.
Size: H-29” x W-23”
Object: Oil painting by Gertrude Anita Snow Brooks, 1866-1947. Her family settled in Alameda in 1875. According to Edam Hughes' reference work, “Artists in California” (1786-1940) she was “a highly skilled painter and her rare works include redwoods...among other subjects.” More biographical information can be found in the Alameda museum subject files under, "Artists."
Acquired from: Brian Harris, a great-grandson,
Date: 09/01/12Interpretative Labels
Label
current sign (applies to 12.52.1, 12.60.1, and 98.311.3):
THREE PAINTINGS BY
ALAMEDA ARTIST
Gertrude A. Brooks
(1866 - 1947)
From left to right, a floral still life
and two redwood grove scenes.
All are oil on canvas
*****
Gertrude Anita Snow Brooks, a prominent listed California artist, was born in Vallejo but moved to Alameda with her family in 1875. As a teenager she ferried to San Francisco to study at the School of Design
under Virgil Williams. She established a studio at her home at 1813 Alameda Ave. after her marriage. A highly-skilled painter, her rare works include views of the redwoods, Chinatown, the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as still lives. Mrs. Brooks died in Alameda on February 7, 1947.
