Realm of the Giant Lily

John W. Hilton
ca. 1954

California artist John W. Hilton (1904 –1983) is considered a master of desert landscapes. He combined a beeswax mixture with paint to give his landscapes a unique luster and depth.

Hilton’s style was influenced by sketching trips with such well-known artists as Maynard Dixon, Nicolai Fechin, Jimmy Swinnerton, Opha Klinker, and Clyde Forsythe. Hilton is said to have described painting the desert as painting nature in the nude or lightly draped - the sparse vegetative covering and unobstructed views highlighting its anatomy.

This painting depicts the view into Lost Horse Valley from near Keys View Road.

Oil on masonite. H 93, W 119 cm
Joshua Tree National Park, JOTR 450

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