1933 “Onya La Tour, Hollywood” Mixed Media Portrait Drawing by Edmond Kohn

A 1933 mixed media drawing by the American artist Edmond Kohn (1907-1988). Titled Onya La Tour, Hollywood, this crayon and watercolor drawing depicts the American art dealer and collector, Onya La Tour, with her hair pulled back and looking off to the side. Titled and signed twice along the bottom edge, the drawing is displayed in a cream mat and a gold tone wooden frame.

Born in Philadelphia, Kohn later moved to the Los Angeles area where he taught art for several years. This drawing of La Tour coincides with her living in the Hollywood area. Known as one of “the most painted woman of her time,” Onya La Tour owned several art galleries and was a strong proponent of modern art. After operating galleries in Puerto Rico and New York City, La Tour started the short-lived Indiana Museum of Modern Art in Brown County, Indiana. Later in life, she donated her collection to the Indianapolis Museum of Art.