Gustav Magnussen was a member of the Laguna Beach Art Association and had close associations with Emil Kosa Sr., William Wendt, and Henry Leopold Richter.

He arrived in San Francisco in 1900 and soon moved to Los Angeles. After living in several southern California locations, he established his studio and gallery on the Balboa Boardwark. He is known for both bright California Impressionist landscapes and large scale historical works done in the classic German style, applying it sometimes featuring Native Americans. He received his training in Germany. Born in Schleswig-Holstein near Denmark, he traveled and hiked throughout Europe. He studing art at the University of Heidelberg. Sources: The artist’s grandson Gustav Arthur Hopkins, and Lura Bisant relatives. Edan Hughes, Artists in California.