JOHN MARSHALL GAMBLE

American (1863-1957)

John Marshall Gamble was an American Impressionist painter who focused on California landscapes and wildflowers. Best known for his plein-air paintings, Gamble worked in the classic Impressionist style showcasing rich colors and loose brushwork with a focus on light and atmospheric effects.

Born in Morristown, New Jersey, Gamble received his early art training at the San Francisco School of Design under Virgil Williams and Emil Carlsen. He later moved to Paris and attended the acclaimed Académie Julian under Jean-Paul Laurens and Benjamin Constant. While in Paris, he also studied at the Académie Colarossi and became inspired by the French Impressionist artists, especially Claude Monet. Following his studies abroad, Gamble set up a studio in San Francisco where he worked for over a decade. In 1906, the artist’s career hit a turning point when the devastating San Francisco earthquake struck and destroyed his studio. As a result, Gamble relocated to Santa Barbara where he became one of the most prominent plein-air landscape artists in California.

Collectors of Gamble’s art include the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, the Crocker Art Museum, the Birmingham Museum of Art and the Los Angeles County Museum among others.