Robert William Wood (American, 1889-1979) Guadalupe River Oil on canvas 25 x 30 inches (63.5 x 76.2 cm) Signed lower right: Robert Wood Titled on the reverse: Guadalupe River Robert William Wood, hailed as a quintessential landscape artist, dominated the American art scene throughout much of the 20th century. Known for his breathtaking depictions of nature's grandeur, Wood's oeuvre echoes a deep sense of reverence and appreciation for the physical world. His birthplace, the rural lands of Sandgate in the county of Kent, England, instilled in him a lifelong fascination for the natural landscape, a sentiment that would pervasively inspire his art upon his migration to the United States. It was in Texas, a state celebrated for its vast, diverse terrain, that Wood refined his signature style. His engagement with the Texan landscape stimulated a profound stylistic transition in his work, steering him towards sunlight-soaked scenes of sweeping vistas and effervescent bluebonnet fields. Wood's bluebonnets became a leitmotif in his paintings, with each depiction highlighting the radiant beauty of Texas's state flower and capturing the magic of Texas spring in full bloom. Famed Texas artist Porfirio Salinas took Robert Wood under his wing in the early 1920s. Their collaboration was marked by mutual respect and artistic growth. This mentorship, undoubtedly, played a role in shaping Robert Wood's journey towards becoming one of the most popular and reproduced American artists of the Twentieth Century. Robert Wood was a master at capturing the alluring diversity of the American landscape -- from the tranquility and richness of the Texas Hill Country to the stunning coastlines of California, Wood's artwork reveals an extraordinary sensitivity to the spirit of the land. He endures as one of Texas's most beloved landscape artists. HID12401132022 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved www.HA.com/TexasAuctioneerLicenseNotice