Warren A. Newcombe (1894-1960) American School TOPANGA CANYON POST OFFICE, 1931 20 x 25 inches / 26 ½ x 31 ½ framed Oil on canvas Signed lower left “Newcombe” Inscribed on verso of canvas by the artist: “California Landscape, Spring, Topanga Canyon, California, Feb 1931” Provenance: Estate of Hazel L. Newcombe, wife of the artist Thence by family descent Literature: Armitage, Merle, Warren Newcombe, New York: E. Weyhe, 1932, Plate 13. “American Art Review”, April 1998, Zakian, Michael, “Historical Landscapes of Malibu”, p.161. Exhibitions: San Diego Sixth Annual Exhibition, June-September 1931 Denny Watrous Gallery, Solo Exhibition,Carmel, 1931 Stendahl Gallery, Solo Exhibition, Los Angeles, November 1931 Hollywood Assistance League, 1932 Los Angeles Art Association, Three Man Show, January 1938 Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art, Malibu, California, “Historic Landscapes of Malibu”, March 1998 By 1930, the artistic style of Warren Newcombe had evolved from the tight technique of the academy into a powerful rhythmic flowing of aesthetics and emotion. TOPANGA CANYON POST OFFICE is a superb example of the modernistic, highly individual American Scene paintings which he executed in the 1930’s and 40’s. These works emphasized the effects of man on the California landscape and were hailed by critics as exciting and important . With a rare combination of color and form, these paintings reflect the vitality, intense drama and joy of life which were a part of the California Scene. Newcombe spent a great deal of time painting in the Malibu area during the 1930’s. In this particular painting we catch a glimpse of the past and sense the pioneering, rustic spirit of the people who settled and lived in Topanga Canyon.

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