Dawson Dawson-Watson (1864-1939)
Hill Country Road with Cactus, 1935
oil on canvas
21 x 16 inches
24.75 x 19.75 inches (frame)
signed lower right: Dawson-Watson 35

Born in London, Dawson Dawson-Watson came to the United States in 1893. Dawson-Watson taught at the St. Louis School of Fine Arts before settling permanently in San Antonio, Texas in 1926. The following year, he won first prize at the Davis Wildflower Competition with Glory of the Morning, depicting a blooming cactus. Hill Country Road with Cactus is a stellar example of what collectors of Dawson-Watson’s works are looking for: an iconic view of a late-spring landscape in the Texas Hill Country, complete with cacti blooming with red and yellow flowers. Dawson-Watson declared, “…its centuries of blooming in the Texas sun has transferred some of the sunshine to the golden cactus flower. For character and color, it is the most interesting flower you have.”

The painting appears to be in good condition. Under UV examination, there is no evidence of inpainting. Painting has been relined.