California Dreams

Bonhams presents a selection of impressionist and 19th-century paintings in its California Art sale on April 12

April 12, 10 a.m.

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California has attracted artists for centuries because of the vast array of terrain, from mountains to beaches. Art movements and colonies special to the state were formed over the years, and their mark on art history has been lasting and fruitful. On April 12, Bonhams will host its next California Art sale at its showroom in Los Angeles. There will be around 125 lots in the sale ranging from the master impressionists of the region to 19th-century scenes.Granville Redmond (1871-1935), Lupines and Poppies. Oil on canvas, 20 x 30 in., signed and dated lower left: ‘Granville Redmond 1912’. Estimate: $100/150,000

Highlights will include works by Granville Redmond: the nearly 5 feet high In Southern California and the 20-by-30-inch Lupines and Poppies that both have estimates of $100,000 to $150,000. According to Bonhams’ director of California and Western art, Scot Levitt, the works represent two “equally important compositions and styles for this top tier impressionist.” The former work, thought to depict Brea Hills, is a rare and early painting, while Lupines and Poppies has signature elements of his style such as “pointillist dabs of brushwork.” A smaller poppy scene titled Morning San Mateo, California that Redmond painted in 1912 will also hit the block with an estimate of $20,000 to $30,000.William Wendt (1865-1946), Snow above the Ranch. Oil on canvas, 25 x 30 in., signed lower right: ‘William Wendt’. Estimate; $30/50,000Also in the California plein air group are pieces by William Wendt including Snow above the ranch (est. $30/50,000) and El Morro Bay (est. $25/35,000); Marion Kavanaugh Wachtel’s Autumn Eaton Canyon, which is set at $20,000 to $30,000; and Hanson Puthuff’s San Gabriel Wash also at $20,000 to $30,000.Raymond Dabb Yelland (1848-1900), Moss Beach, Monterey. Oil on canvas, 28 x 48 in., signed and dated lower right: ‘R. D. Yelland. 1893’. Estimate: $50/70,000

A solid selection of 19th-century works includes Raymond Dabb Yelland’s 1893 coastal scene Moss Beach, Monterey (est. $50/70,000) and a Thomas Hill painting of Yosemite that has the same estimate. A very large Norton Bush titled Tropical Landscape is expected to sell between $15,000 and $25,000. Also in the category are pieces from Julian Rix, William Keith, Frederick Schafer and Theodore Wores.Granville Redmond (1871-1935), In Southern California. Oil on canvas, 58 x 40 in., signed and dated lower left: ‘Granville Redmond 1905-’. Estimate: $100/150,000“There’s a nice grouping from the estate of Daniel Abeloff,” says Levitt. “He had some San Diego artists in his collection which included works by Alfred R. Mitchell that are from along the La Jolla seashore. He also had works by Maurice Braun, William Ritschel, as well as Dennis Doheny. It’s a collection of about 12 to 15 paintings.”

Charles Patridge Adams is also represented by two works in the sale: Early Spring, California (est. $5/7,000) and Afternoon, Convict Lake in the Sierras, California (est. $4/6,000). —