LOS ANGELES, CA.- An iconic oil painting by William Wendt titled "The Old Coast Road," circa 1916 (est. $400,000-600,000), stands out as the flagship amongst several significant works on offer in Bonhams' auction of California & Western Paintings & Sculpture on April 28 in Los Angeles, simulcast in San Francisco. The painting graces the cover of the best known book on California Impressionism titled “Plein Air Painters of California: The Southland” by Ruth Westphal. It is arguably the best known California painting in private hands.

Plein-air works of note in the auction also include “At Annondale (Wildflowers near Pasadena)” by Guy Rose (est. $150,000-250,000); an exceptionally large canvas by Edgar Payne entitled “Surging Sea” (est. $150,000-250,000); and William Wendt's "Misty Morning, Santa Ana Canyon," 1928 (est. $60,000-80,000).

Highlights continue with Alson Skinner Clark’s oil on canvas "Blue mountain," 1925 (Est. $20,000-30,000); Jack Wilkinson Smith’s colorful "Sunshine through the oaks" (est. $25,000-35,000); and "Alligator Head, La Jolla" by Alfred R. Mitchell (est. $8,000-12,000).

Several important Western works will be featured as well, 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, "It is early, so many works are still to be consigned, but judging by what we are seeing and being offered, this should be a spectacular and memorable auction.”

The sale will preview from April 17-19 in San Francisco and from April 24-26 in Los Angeles.