Joseph Kleitsch

 

Bathers Along the Seine, Vernon, France

Joseph Kleitsch (1882-1931) was an American painter known for his landscapes and portraits. He was born in Hungary and immigrated to the United States as a child. Kleitsch studied art at the Art Institute of Chicago and later moved to California, where he became a member of the California Art Club and the Laguna Beach Art Association. He is known for his bright, colorful paintings of the California landscape, particularly the desert regions of Palm Springs and the Mojave Desert. Kleitsch's work was exhibited widely during his lifetime, and he received numerous awards for his paintings. He is considered an important figure in the California Impressionist movement.