Warren A. Newcombe (1894-1960)

American School

THE PLAZA, LOS ANGELES, May 23, 1936

(#19527)

21 x 30 inches / 27¼ x 36 framed

Oil on canvas

Signed and dated lower right: “Newcombe 1936”

     Dated, signed and titled on verso of upper stretcher bar:

                    1936  Warren Newcombe  “The Plaza – Los Angeles”

Provenance:          Mr. and Mrs. Josh Allen, Arizona

                    John Moran Auctioneers, October 5, 2016, Lot#71

     Literature:          Where the Heart Is: The Allen Collection,

          Regional Paintings 1920-1960, Northern Arizona University

          Art Museum, Flagstaff, Arizona, December 12, 2005 through

          January 28, 2006, No. 11 illustrated in color.

     Exhibitions:          Los Angeles Art Association, Three-Man Exhibition,

                    January 4 through 28, 1938

                    Northern Arizona University Art Museum, Flagstaff, Arizona,

                    “The Allen Collection Regional Paintings 1920-1960,

                    December 12, 2005 – January 28, 2006.

     The dominant building in THE PLAZA is the Los Angeles City Hall which was completed in 1928.  For almost 40 years it stood as the tallest structure in L.A., dominating the skyline.  The image of this building has adorned the LAPD badges since 1940.

     The historical building in the foreground, located across from Union Station, includes the Hotel Espanol, Locatuen Cigar Store, and upstairs with three windows is the Cosmopolitan Saloon.  This building was originally the Plaza Firehouse, built in 1884.  After 1897 it was used as a saloon, cigar store, pool room, “seedy” hotel, Chinese market, café, flophouse and drugstore.  The building was restored in the 1950’s and opened as a museum in 1960.