Will Frates, “Princeton Beach”, Impressionist Landscape Oil Painting, Circa 1950

A large and evocative circa 1950 framed impressionist landscape oil painting on canvas titled “Princeton Beach [Boat Repair]” by noted northern California artist William “Will” E. Frates (b. 1896–1969).

Captivating coastal setting depicts an unassuming barn-like structure beside a pair of fishing boats in dry dock, one of which is on stilts with figures discernible on deck going about their repairs. Sandy shoreline terrain in the foreground and turquoise-colored waters in the cove lead to a sliver of beach below verdant foothills in the distance that rise up into a cloud-filled sky.

Earthy color palette punctuated by reddish-orange pops of color that capture the warm glow of an inimitable California sunset on the building, boat hulls, and a section of water. Artist’s loose yet assured brushwork on wonderful display throughout, with impressionistic details and textures that reward those who lean in for a closer look.

Based on Frates’ San Francisco Bay Area roots and the title, the setting could be somewhere near Princeton-by-the-Sea just north of Half Moon Bay, which is a short drive south of San Francisco on scenic Highway 1.

Signed on front at bottom and signed, titled, priced, and notated in pencil on verso. Title on verso appears to have originally been “Princeton Beach Boat Repair”, with “Boat Repair” having been crossed out. Original circa 1950 price was possibly overwritten from “$200” to “$300”, which in either case translates to nearly $4,000 in today’s dollars.

Presented in its original plaster-coated wood frame with painted faux-stone finish and painted white wood interior border. Canvas backed by stiff paperboard.

Will Frates was born in Hayward, California in 1896, and was an active, versatile, and very skilled oil, watercolor, pastel, and etchings artist from the 1920s until his passing while on a painting excursion in Myrtle Creek, Oregon in 1969. His subjects were mostly San Francisco Bay Area and California “Mother Lode” landscapes, though he also painted scenes far afield, from New Mexico to the coast of Maine.

Frates first studied art in San Francisco with noted landscape painter and ornithologist William Otto Emerson. He maintained a studio and home in Hayward, as well as a gallery there with friend and fellow artist Elmer Stanhope. His paintings hang in the Hayward Public Library, the State Museum Resource Center in Sacramento, and the Salinas City Hall.

Frates exhibited his work to great acclaim throughout the Bay Area, notably at the 1930 California State Fair; 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition; 1934 & 1938 Santa Cruz Art League; 1939 Society for Sanity in Art, CPLH; 1948 Alameda County Fair (1st prize); 1969 Diablo AA (1st prize); 1969 Monterey Religious Art Festival (1st prize); and the Oakland Art Gallery from 1924 to 1939.

He was active in numerous art & artist associations over the years, including Bay Region AA; Hayward AA (cofounder); Mother Lode AA; Diablo AA; Fremont AA; and Santa Cruz Art League, SWA (president).

Dimensions:
Height: 29.13 in
Width: 34.88 in
Depth: 2 in

Condition: Good
Wear consistent with age and use. Art: Very good vintage condition; a few barely noticeable small areas where canvas isn’t perfectly flat against backing. Frame: Small nicks and chips; minor cracks/separations along seams; a bit of dinginess; tiny foxing spots on bottom left border.