The longtime home of revered conceptual artist John Baldessari, who passed away in early 2020, is on the block for a cool $3.9 million. That’s just a fraction under the prolific artist’s auction record, which is $4.4 million for Quality material… a 1967-68 painting that sold at Christie’s New York in 2007. It remains the most expensive work by the artist ever sold at auction. Baldessari, who had studios in Venice and Santa Monica, California, was famous for using found photography and appropriated images.

Meanwhile, the early “Craftsman” style home that the artist lived in for decades, is in the heart of Santa Monica and not far from the beach, on 2nd street, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. According to Crosby Doe, which has the listing, after a decade in the house, Baldessari felt he needed more space, more light, and “more creatively exciting living space.” He hired Ron Godfredsen and Danna Sigal Architects to expand the space and give it a more Modern ambience.

An addition, described as influenced by the architect Frank Lloyd Wright, with an eat-in kitchen and a library, was added at the rear of the building. Skylights and windows that nod to fellow West Coast artist James Turrell were also added to the back of the house. Designer Roy McMakin created custom-made furniture, some of which may be available for purchase separately, according to Crosby Doe.  The home is set in a garden with an olive grove, grassy yard, exotic plantings, and includes open-plan public spaces.

Baldessari was born in National City, California in 1931. He received his bachelors degree in 1953 from San Diego State College. After a year of studies at the University of California Berkley, he returned to San Diego State College for his masters in painting. He taught at the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, from 1970 to 1988 and at UCLA from 1996 to 2007.

He was initially a painter but began to incorporate texts and photography onto his canvases in the mid-1960s.  His artwork has been featured in more than 300 solo exhibitions and in over 1,000 group exhibitions in the U.S. and Europe.

See pictures of the real estate listing here:

Courtesy of Crosby Doe & Associates, Inc.

Courtesy of Crosby Doe & Associates, Inc.

Courtesy of Crosby Doe & Associates, Inc.

Courtesy of Crosby Doe & Associates, Inc.

Courtesy of Crosby Doe & Associates, Inc.

Courtesy of Crosby Doe & Associates, Inc.

Courtesy of Crosby Doe & Associates, Inc.