An iconic oil painting by William Wendt, 'The Old Coast Road' (c. 1916), estimated at $400,000-600,000, stands out as the flagship lot among several significant works on offer in the auction of California & Western Paintings & Sculpture on 28 April at Bonhams Los Angeles.

The painting graces the cover of the best-known book on California Impressionism, Plein Air Painters of California: The Southland by Ruth Westphal. It is arguably the most famous California painting in private hands. Other plein-air works of note in the auction include At Annondale (Wildflowers near Pasadena) by Guy Rose, which is estimated at $150,000-250,000, an exceptionally large canvas by Edgar Payne, Surging Sea, estimated at $150,000-250,000, and William Wendt's Misty Morning, Santa Ana Canyon, (1928), estimated at $60,000-80,000.

Further highlights include with Alison Skinner Clark's oil on canvas, Blue mountain (1925), estimated at $20,000-30,000, Jack Wilkinson Smith's colourful Sunshine through the oaks, estimated at $25,000-35,000, and Alligator Head, La Jolla by Alfred R. Mitchell, estimated at $8,000-12,000.

Several important Western works will also feature, ranging from the early Taos School painters to the more modern interpreters such as Ed Mell.

Bonhams' Director of Fine Arts, Scot Levitt, commented of the sale, "We are thrilled to have a number of spectacular early California and Western paintings for our April sale. Our position as market makers for the category is confirmed by the consignment of so many fresh and important works. These pictures will draw an especially large audience, which will benefit every work in the auction. Our results have remained strong throughout the last few years and we see another great sale in the making. Collectors looking for exceptional examples by William Wendt, Guy Rose, Armin Hansen and Edgar Payne will be more than satisfied. While there is still time for other works to be consigned, we encourage our clients to act quickly as the April sale will feature a very selective group of paintings."

The sale will preview from April 17-19 in San Francisco and from April 24-26 in Los Angeles, and will be simulcast in San Francisco. For further information about its highlights, please click here.