Lot 4051: Alida Ghirardelli (American, 1881-1909) Portrait of Dorothy Clarke 16 1/2 x 15 3/4in

Portrait of Dorothy Clarke
signed 'Alida Ghirardelli' (lower left)
oil on canvas
16 1/2 x 15 3/4in

PROVENANCE:
Private collection, Northern California

Alida Ghirardelli was the daughter of the founder of the famous chocolate factory, Domingo Ghirardelli. She began studying art under Chris Jorgensen, who was married to her aunt. She continued her studies at the Mark Hopkins Art Institute and in Europe. After the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco, she moved to the Monterey Penninsula where she met her tragic death at the age of 28 while swimming in the ocean near her home in Carmel.