California and Western Art

In 1926, Joseph Kleitsch, a Hungarian-American painter, traveled around Europe to seek inspiration from its backdrops and cultures. Through the years, Kleitsch’s travel experience contributed to the creation of more expressive artworks, particularly focusing on villages and hills. One of Kleitsch’s oil paintings of California is being offered at the California and Western Art Auction presented by Bonhams.

The auction will showcase many other artists as well, including E. Charlton Fortune, Edgar Payne, and William Alexander. An American Impressionist artist, Fortune’s work will be featured in the sale. Her Drying Sails painting reveals her fascination with the water along the Monterey, English, and European coastlines.  The application of thick brushwork in this piece incorporates realism within the painting. Collectors can also find Mountain Vista by Edgar Payne, who worked with contrasting light and dark areas to create this piece. View the full catalog and register for bidding on Bonhams.