Camelback Mountain, Phoenix, Arizona - circa 1915-1925. Oil on Board.

Edition: Unique. Signed, lower right, front, Macintyre. Not titled or dated.

Dimensions: 12 x 16 inches (304 x 406 mm). Gold frame: 17 1/2 x 21 1/2 inches (444 x 546 mm).

Reference: Falk 1999:II:2130; Johnston 1904. 

Excellent condition. Painted on older "Atelier Panels" artist's board made by E. H.& A. C. Friedrichs Co. Has been lightly cleaned and varnished and is in a new frame.

An early view of Camelback Mountain in Phoenix, Arizona. This painting of Camelback Mountain compares favorably in both location, and vegetation, with photographs taken from Lee's Ranch, circa 1902-03 by Annie Fellows Johnston. The ranch, mentioned in her book "The Little Colonel in Arizona" (1915), plays an important role in her story. Johnston's first mention says: "It's to Lee's Ranch we are going, out in Arizona. It's sort of a boarding camp for sick people." Having a sick child, Johnston spent the years 1902-1903 at Lee's and took several photographs, many of which appear to be from this same vantage point. In helping "sick people" Lee's Ranch may have been a possible retreat for tubercular patients in need of the clean dry desert air. The point of view is from the approximate location of today's East Fort McDowell Road near Papago Park.

Signed simply, Macintyre, this painter left behind several desert paintings most seeming to date from the 1910 to 1930 period. Very little information exists on this artist who is often confused with Washington State artist Emilie Macintyre (see Falk 1999:II:2130). The paragraph above might reveal my bias that Macintyre was staying at Lee's Ranch and might have been a patient. Please review the online website AskArt for more information on this interesting, and early, twentieth-century "desert" artist.

$1500.00