Joseph Greenbaum was a painter born in New York City on November 17, 1864. At age 13 Greenbaum moved with his family to San Francisco where he attended high school. Art studies were begun locally at the School of Design followed by training under Carl von Marr in Munich at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, in Paris at Academie Julian under Lefebvre and Robert-Fleury, and under H. Lindenschmidt and H. Zugel, the famous animal painter. Returning to San Francisco, he painted portraits of many prominent citizens and made a second trip to Paris for four years of further study. The disaster of 1905 destroyed his studio at 916 Market Street; he then moved to Los Angeles where he spent his remaining years. From his studio in the Blanchard building came many portraits of such notables as "Lucky" Baldwin, General Otis, and Rex Slinkard. After his move to Southern California, he taught at the Art Students League of Los Angeles in 1908, and made numerous trips into New Mexico and Arizona where he painted many desert landscapes. Greenbaum was active in Los Angeles until his death on April 15, 1940.Exhibited: Royal Academy of Fine Arts (honorary mention); California State Fair, 1889, 1899; Mark Hopkins Art Inst., 1898, 1906; Paris Salon 1896; SFAA, 1896-1910; Steckel Gallery (LA), 1907; Del Monte Art Gallery, 1907-12; Alaska-Yukon (gold medal), Seattle, 1909; LACMA, 1915; Golden Gate Park Museum, 1915.Works held: Mechanics Inst. (SF); Santa Cruz (CA) Museum; CHS; de Young Museum.Source:Hughes, Edan M. Artists In California 1786-1940. 3rd ed. Vol. 1. Sacramento: Crocker, Art Museum, 2002. N. pag. 2 vols. Print.