Artist Andrew P. Hill
Over the years some great artists have lived and painted here. Of particular interest to me are A.D.M. Cooper (1856-1924), Charles Harmon (1859-1936) and Andrew P. Hill (1853-1922). Cooper was certainly the most prolific and he commanded the highest prices for his paintings. When he was still alive, one of his paintings sold for $60,000, the equivalent of more than $1 million today. In my opinion Charles Harmon was perhaps the most gifted, but my favorite is Andrew P. Hill and, while not well known today, he painted some wonderful local pieces. Of course his real fame is that of the “man who saved the redwoods.” His painting “California Redwood Park” was exhibited during the second year of the San Francisco Panama Pacific Exposition in 1916.
Hill also painted and photographed chickens. I have never known of another artist who used chickens as his subject matter, and I was always curious why any artist would do that. Perhaps I have finally discovered the reason. At one time he was in a partnership known as Hill and Watkins. It has come to light that Mrs. L.J. Watkins fancied thoroughbred poultry. And who was this wealthy Mrs. Watkins? It turns out that she was his mother-in-law, and I believe that she helped him out financially.
While Hill was a fine artist and good photographer, I think he was a poor businessman. Several of his five partnerships were dissolved because of bankruptcy. He was also a man dogged by bad luck; the fire of 1892 destroyed his studio and then came the earthquake of 1906, which completely destroyed the Doherty Building containing his studio. He lost everything, his large collection of photographic negatives, paintings, props, accessories, cameras and furnishings. Even with this he bounced back and painted some wonderful scenes of San Jose and Santa Clara Valley before his death in 1922.
Isn’t it time that this city finally recognizes these wonderful artists from the past? A proper showing of their paintings should be on permanent display in a location where the public can readily see them. The City of Oakland, our much smaller neighbor north of us, has a wonderful gallery devoted to California artists. Why can’t we promote something similar on an equal scale?
Editor’s note: Works by Andrew Hill and other local artists can currently be viewed at an exhibition of the Leonard McKay Collection at the Leonard and David McKay Gallery at the Pasetta House at 1650 Senter Rd., San Jose. The exhibition continues until February 12, 2006 and is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 noon until 5 pm.
http://www.sanjose.com/underbelly/unbelly/Lennies/leonard.html
The hyperlink above shows the distinguished local author pointing to a painting by Hill that is a part of the now retired but invaluable San Jose Underbelly site that is still maintained but static. Its creator, Eric Carlson, moved to Florida one day perhaps to return.
The San Jose Art Museum is now too “stuck up” to have a show of provincial artists such as ADM Cooper or Andrew Hill! I remember the times that they even had a show of Indian Baskets and one of antique wood duck decoys! Those days are gone forever!
Maybe History San Jose could mount such a show in the Fallon House?
Good post! You are so right. Just another example of our city’s leadership and their indifference to our history.
Maybe they will decide to house an exhibit of paintings and include one of the Palomar Ballroom which is about to be executed.
Is Andrew Hill High School in southeastern San Jose named after this great artist? If so, as a graduate of that school…I NEVER KNEW! I agree that more should be done to recognize the artists of San Jose’s past.
Leonard/David,
Where would we be with out collectors and keepers of the faithful past as you? You bring to this site a freshness that needs the exposurer and enlightenment to all that would become residents of this, our Valley of Hearts Delight. The Andrew Hill House at History San Jose might be a permanent exibit.
Long after the over seas economic attraction has subsighted, there will still be Andrew Hill and The Gaint Redwoods of Big Basin. There will still be a place for all of us to lose ourselves within the vastness of the Redwood Forest. Your son and I fished the seas with in sight of these Majestic Forests for many years.
U.S. Loggers and Chinese Merchants alike will come to appreciate the earthly medicinal qualities of simply touching the energy of the Grand Father Tree and Grand Mother Tree, with in the boundries of the fog belt that comprises their last defence to survive the axes of death.
Less then 10 % of all old growth forests exist on this Our Planet Earth.
I have dedicated my last years to saving what could be the last remaining stands of old growth Redwood Trees with in 50 mile radius of San Jose.
My empathy grows as more and more loggers find a reason to cut these majestic living legends. Once cut, hundreds of years will pass before the trees will inspire such strengths within us all!
The genius of Andrew Hill was that he knew what needed to be done. Saving, what inspired. Hope!
He lost all of his work in the fire that destroyed his lab. What survived was his passion that went into his life’s work, the Redwood Forest.
Andrew Hill and Verl Clausen have been an insirational element in my life’s work. Photography, Painting. Caretaker of the Forest, Catalyst.
I belong to a group of Dreamers that dream that the world of Giant Redwoods will be enbraced, encircled by your Great, Great, Great, Grand Children. 20 Children hand to hand, circling a single Redwood Tree and feeling the presence of the future with in their grasp. Hope is with in us all!
If for only a moment we could all become Children, There would be no questions , only actions. Let the children save the Trees. Hold a Child’s Hands around one tree, any tree! Then feel the Child’s joy within!
The Village Black Smith
Director/sempervirens.org
http://www.pelicannetwork.net/hill.big.basin.htm
http://www.sempervirens.org/history.htm
Mr. McKay,
Thank you for continuing to post on this site. Your blogs are refreshing and educational!
SW
Mr. McKay, we have had a painting thats hung on our wall for 45 years. We believe the signature on it is Andrew P. Hill. My parents found it in an attic of an old caretakers house on a ranch that was owned by a Dr. in Portland. He gave them the paintings when he died. Just today we looked at the signature of it. It is difficult to read but with flashlight we believe it says Andrew P. Hill. It is a painting of an old woman feeding cows near a pond of water and trees. Any information you could give us on this painting would be much appreciated.
For many years my parents have had an original painting by ADM Cooper hanging in the entry way of their home. It has been a warm welcoming and familiar piece to their home.
My Mom has tried in the past to find the value of this piece, though they would never part with it. Recently as they age, the value is more of an interest to them. I have done some research yet only found very few similar paintings done by ADM Cooper. This is a landscape of beautiful and vibrant colors of orange skies through the trees. titled “California Redwoods” any help would be appreciated. Thanks so much