Summer Landscape by Elsa Warner (1900-1988) Mixed Media on Board

37”W x 47”H x 1 1/2"D

A vibrant and structurally complex work by mid-century California artist Elsa Warner, Summer Landscape represents a bold departure from traditional scenic painting into the realm of textural abstraction.

This mixed media composition on board showcases Warner’s experimental sensibility, developed during her training at the influential Otis Art Institute in Los Angeles in the 1930s. Rather than a literal depiction of nature, Warner deconstructs the summer season into its essential energies: heat, light, and shadow. The work is characterized by a dynamic interplay of jagged, geometric forms and a warm, earthy palette dominated by sun-drenched yellows, ochres, and deep forest greens.

The surface is rich with tactile interest, utilizing a heavy, collage-like layering technique that suggests the use of gouache, ink, and dry media alongside pigment. This impasto approach creates a sculptural depth, inviting the viewer to explore the rugged topography of the paint itself. The work is signed "WARNER" in the lower right in black ink.

The piece is housed in its original, mid-century wood frame. The frame features a distinctive profile with a white-washed interior bevel transitioning to a rustic, textured wood exterior. It exhibits age-appropriate wear, including minor abrasions and finish loss (notably on the white inner edge), which reinforces the authentic, vintage provenance of the object without distracting from the artwork's bold energy.

Elsa "Elsie" Warner was a dedicated figure in the Southern California art scene. After her studies at Otis, she shaped future generations of artists as the head of the art department at Polytechnic High School in Long Beach. Her work was exhibited with prominent groups such as the Los Angeles Artists’ Association and the Palos Verdes Art Association, solidifying her place within the region's modernist movement.

American Artist

Mid 20th Century