Sometimes great works of art hang quietly on a family wall, their history unknown. Such is the case with this striking John McLaughlin painting, consigned by Tampa Bay resident and daughter of Willard Woodrow (née Cohn). To her, it was simply “the painting Dad loved.” She knew her dad was successful but with our help and research she realized her father was not just “Dad,” but a true mover and shaker in Los Angeles—an accomplished architect, developer, Hollywood set designer, collector, and philanthropist.
John McLaughlin (1898–1976) is celebrated as one of the leading figures of West Coast minimalism. His works, with their bold geometric abstractions, explore spatial relationships and create what is called a “meditative balance” through color and form. This untitled 36 x 48-inch oil on canvas, executed in 1957, embodies McLaughlin’s signature vision with its dynamic interplay of blue, yellow, black, and white.
Its provenance is equally compelling. Willard Cohn was a prodigy who graduated Northwestern University at just 16, later making his mark designing film sets in Hollywood and forging friendships with stars of the Rat Pack era. Beyond his professional career, he developed a passion for modern design and abstract art with “odd angles” and daring colors. In the 1970s, he was a regular presence in Los Angeles galleries, often seeking works of strong geometry — this McLaughlin among his favorites.
Woodrow/Cohn’s impact went beyond collecting. In 1957, he donated the building that would become the Downey Museum of Art, cementing his role as a cultural patron and philanthropist in Southern California.
This McLaughlin painting, with its remarkable scale and impeccable provenance, is estimated at $60,000–$100,000 in our upcoming sale.
At Hess Fine Auctions, we are proud to handle works of this caliber. Though based in Florida, our strong regional presence allows us to compete head-to-head with the “big boys” of New York, with a faster turnaround, equal results, lower costs and offering consignors and buyers alike the personal touch of a family-owned firm.
