Geoffrey Holt

California Landscape, c. 1940s

• Oil on panel
• 10" x 12", artwork
• 14.5" x 16.5" x 2.25", framed
• Historic

$1,800

Provenance
Consigned to American Legacy Fine Arts, Pasadena, California; By descent to a private collector, Encino, California; Acquired by a private collector, Palo Alto, San Carlos, and Oceanside, California; acquired from Antiquarian Art Co., Palo Alto, California

Description
This intimate California landscape painting reflects the artist’s confident handling of palette knife and impasto, applied in thick, expressive strokes to build a rich surface texture. The scene appears to depict a woodland clearing, with sunlight filtering through a vertical rhythm of slender tree trunks. Shades of blue and green dominate the composition, punctuated by warm yellow-gold highlights where sunlight strikes foliage and forest floor. Holt’s method here departs from traditional plein air brushwork, leaning toward a modern, painterly abstraction while still grounded in natural observation. The shimmering surface and broken color technique create a sense of rhythm and atmosphere, evoking the ephemeral play of light found in California’s wooded glades.
Holt was active in the Southern California art community, and possibly painted this work near his home base in San Pedro or while on a painting excursion into the wooded canyons and coastal hills of the region.

Historical Significance
While Geoffrey Holt does not have the broad market presence of major California Impressionists of the period, his works appeal to collectors interested in mid-century interpretations of the California landscape, especially those that bridge traditional plein air and more modern, expressive tendencies. His textured palette knife style aligns with trends in post-war California art, where painters explored heightened color and abstracted natural forms.

Framing
The painting is presented in a wide, high-quality hand-finished gilt wood frame with a warm gold tone surface. The solid architectural profile complements the work’s textural vitality and gives it strong presence despite its modest dimensions. The framing appears to be custom, likely late 20th century.

Condition
Overall condition: Excellent. No evidence of paint loss, flaking, or instability. Impasto layers are intact with no visible compression or abrasion. No visible repairs or overpainting under natural light. Frame is in excellent condition with only minimal wear from age and handling.

Exhibited
Scenic Route: A Half Century of California Discovery, 1900-1950, American Legacy Fine Arts, Pasadena, California, August 15 - October 11, 2025

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