Joseph Greenbaum (1864-1940)

Painter. Born in New York City on Nov. 17, 1864. At age 13 Greenbaum moved with his family to San Francisco. Art studies were begun locally at the School of Design followed by training under Carl von Marr in Munich at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, in Paris at Academie Julian under Lefebvre and Robert-Fleury, and under H. Lindenschmidt and H. Zugel, the famous animal painter. Returning to San Francisco, he painted portraits of many prominent citizens and made a second trip to Paris for four years of further study. The earthquake of 1906 destroyed his studio at 916 Market Street; he then moved to Los Angeles where he spent his reaming years. From his studio in the Blanchard Building came many portraits of such notables as “Lucky” Baldwin and General Otis. After his move to southern California, he taught at the Art Students’ League of Los Angeles where Rex Sinkard and Stanton Macdonald-Wright were two of his pupils. He made numerous trips into New Mexico and Arizona where he painted many desert landscapes. Greenbaum was active in Los Angeles until his death on April 15, 1940. Works held: De Young Museum; Irvine Museum; Santa Cruz City Museum; Mechanics’ Institute; California Historical Society. Exhibited: Royal Academy of fine Art; Paris Salon; San Francisco Art Association; Steckel Gallery; Del Monte Art Gallery; Alaska-Yukon Expo; and the Golden Gate Park Museum.