About

“Paul Lauritz House”

Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument #784  (8/10/2004)

History:

Paul Lauritz, painter and printmaker, lived at 3955 W. Clayton Avenue in the 1920s and 1930s. Lauritz was born in Norway, where he began his art activities. After first immigrating to Canada, he settled in Los Angeles in 1919 and soon after built this house while teaching at the Chouinard and Otis Art Institutes. Lauritz specialized in landscape painting and was an active participant in the art scene in Los Angeles, joining numerous local and regional art organizations and serving on the Municipal Art Commission for many years. Lauritz was also a member of the Royal Society of Artists, England, and the Society of Western Artists. An exhibition of his paintings opened at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in November 1920. His paintings were awarded numerous prizes and are in the many well known collections throughout the United States today. (www.anexgalleries.com)
The City Directories list the following residents: Paul and Mary Lauritz, painter/artist/teacher (1922-1942).

1930 Census:
3955 W. Clayton Avenue (Value $3,000): 1) Paul Lauritz, owner and head of household; white married male 40 years of age; married at age 22; born in Norway; parents born in Norway; Artist in the film studios. 2) Mary Lauritz, wife; white married female 38 years of age; married at age 20; born in Oregon; father born in North Ireland, mother in California; not working. 3) Jack Lauritz, son; white single male 17 years of age; born in Oregon; in school.

1940 Census:
3955 W. Clayton Avenue (Value$3,000): 1) Paul Lauritz, owner and head of household; white married male 51 years of age; born in Norway; artist, own account. 2) Mary Lauritz, wife; white married female 52 years of age; born in Oregon; not working.