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The leading figure in the art colony established on the Monterey Peninsula, California, at the turn of the century, the Scottish-born painter William Adam is best known for his vivid depictions of the sea, cliffs, rolling sand dunes, and gardens near his home in Pacific Grove, on the peninsula. Painting these subjects in sunlight and overcast conditions as well as in twilight and moonlight, Adam captured the unique qualities of this beautiful part of the northern California coastline. As James H. King wrote of Adam in 1911:
"Always a keen student of nature, his work is honest and sincere, full of vitality, both in color and drawing. There is the freshness of wind-blown places and rain-washed grasses in these pictures, and however brilliant the canvas may be, the color is cool and sweet, with a sparkling play of light and dark. Every picture is a gleaming combination of colors, beautifully and cleverly massed in harmonious whole that satisfies the pictorial sense. Through the freshness and naturalness of his studies of our familiar coast scenery he has grown gradually into the hearts of the nature-loving public."
Adam was born Tweedmouth, Scotland. As a youth, he traveled to South America. Staying in Montevideo, Uruguay, he found work as a smithy and then was employed in the office of a coal loading yard. He also tried setting up a shop for portraiture, but no clients appeared. Upon returning to Scotland, Adam attended the Glasgow School of Art, studying under Robert Greenlees, and exhibited at prominent exhibitions including the Royal Scottish Academy. Adam also studied in Paris with Paul Delacluse.
In 1894, Adam immigrated to America. He settled at first in Boston, where he became a member of the Boston Art Club. He exhibited Scottish landscapes at the club’s exhibitions in 1894 and 1895. In 1897, Adam moved to California, settling in Pacific Grove on the Monterey Peninsula. There he painted in oil and watercolor and gave art lessons in his rose-covered cottage at 450 Central Avenue. A well known figure in the region, the artist was affectionately known as “Professor” Adam. He received significant acclaim and his art was highly sought after by patrons, including the prominent Ghirardelli family of San Francisco. In addition to his art work, Adam published articles in art magazines and wrote a series of youthful adventures set in Uruguay, entitled “Games and Gossip.”
In California, Adam exhibited at the Del Monte Art Gallery near his home as well as at the Sacramento State Fairs, where his work was awarded medals, and the California Artists exhibition at the Golden Gate Park Museum, San Francisco. His works are included in the collections of the Silverado Museum, Saint Helena, California; the City of Monterey Collection; Harrison Memorial Library, Carmel, California, and the Monterey Peninsula Museum of Art, Monterey.
LNP
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