Updated remodeled Exquisite Artist Estate sitting above it all on the Carmel Ocean Coast line. This Historic Estate has a Mysterious artist affair behind its creation please read the paragraphs below this brief description. Sitting on a one hundred year old property, with approximately 4,100 square feet of living space, this venue boasts 4 en-suite bedrooms, four full and one half bath, fireplaces, a gracious living room with high ceilings, wood beams and skylights. There is a private dining room with wainscoting, redwood plank flooring and a master bedroom on the main floor, a separate guest quarters and gated entry. These stunning grounds feature breathtaking ocean views, outdoor patios, winding pathways, custom fireplaces, artistic stonework, unique arches, fountains and lovely terraced gardens bearing fruit trees, flowers and vines. A true romance of artistry and historical design. Come experience a piece of history, Romance and Art.
John O'Shea was not just a Socializing in his new surroundings . At years end 1917-1918 he had joined the thirteen other artists
in the winter exhibition of fifty or more paintings in the Hall of Arts and Crafts Club .
We surmise that the presence of John O'shea at Carmel Highlands was somehow related to that of Mrs. Elizabeth Bigelow at the time widowed ,art patron, collector of paintings , and wealthy Santa Barbaran. Elizabeth was deeded the Carmel Highlands property in 1918. None other then John O'shea "superintended the building of the Bigelow house , one of the show places of the Carmel HIghlands. Where he subsequently lived for some time. It is rumored that there was a possible affair during the build of the property. Ask the Owner about the Man Quarters built on property in a separate suite. John O'shea established a reputation as "a most eligible bachelor " and became a popular figure n the art community as well as among the literati! Please see his Bio below to understand his full background. We look forward to having you experience the view and piece of art history on the famous California Coast of Carmel !
A Century of History
The house was built in 1919 by art patron and socialite Elizabeth Bigelow. Elizabeth was instrumental in solidifying Carmel as an artist haven, serving as a mentor and muse for local artists. Most notably, the world renowned artist John O'Shea followed Elizabeth to Carmel in 1918 from Santa Barbara. John superintended the building of the house, “one of the show places of Carmel.” It is rumored that the two would steal away to the “Men's room” during their long, passionate affair. He did paint the view from the house (add photo).
John O'Shea Biography
One of the leading artists in the Carmel area between 1917-1945, he painted in oil, watercolor and charcoal. John's avant-garde and vibrant paintings of landscapes helped soldiery Carmel as the artistic destination it is today
Men's Room
The Men's room was originally a separate cottage. At the time, it was believed that men should not drink, smoke, gamble, and talk “masculine” topics in front of women. The men would leave the women inside and spend the rest of the evening in separate. It is believed that the men's room was the location of Elizabeth and John's elicit affair. The cottage was connected to the house in the late 50s.
In 1917 O'Shea settled on the Monterey Peninsula. While maintaining a studio in his home, he became active with the art community in both Carmel (served as director-president of the Carmel Art Association) and San Francisco. Two years after his marriage to Molly Shaughnessy in 1922, the couple built a home near Smugglers Cove in Carmel Highlands. The O'Shea's led a very active social life. One of their neighbors was artist Theodore Morrow Criley who would become O'Shea's closest friend and painting companion. Other friends included poet Robinson Jeffers, photographer Edward Weston, artists Thomas Parkhurst, William Clothier Watts, William Ritschel and Burton Boundey (who had two one-man shows with O'Shea).
O'Shea continued to paint and having successful exhibititions, often solo, for many years receiving much praise for his work. Probably the highest artistic tribute was paid him by the Director of the California Palace of the Legion of Honor, who was “sure that the gorgeous color and design of Mr. O'Shea's canvases will make a tremendous impression with the San Francisco public,” and arranged for a showing of sixty-three of his works at the Legion in 1934.
Although trained in the East, it was through his travels in the Southwest, the South Seas, Mexico, and Hawaii, that O'Shea developed his unique style – a blend of American Impressionism, realism, and abstraction. A highly versatile artist, he left a legacy of over five hundred works in oil, watercolor, and charcoal. John O'Shea died at home on April 29, 1956 at the age of eighty.
