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historical notes
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Stanley Newbold Barbee was a prominent figure known for his role as the former CEO of Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Los Angeles. He was not only a business magnate but also a distinguished art collector with a particular focus on modern French and American paintings. His remarkable collection included works by renowned artists such as Rembrandt, Daumier, Seurat, Derain, Cezanne, Gauguin, Renoir, Sisley, Manet, Vuillard, Degas, Braque, Lautrec, Vlaminck, and Laurencin. Notably, Barbee's passion for art extended beyond mere collection, as he actively participated in auctions. In 1944, he sold a notable selection of paintings including pieces by Renoir, Daumier, Degas, Vuillard, and Seurat at the Parke-Bernet Galleries. In 1959, another auction featured watercolors, drawings, and prints by artists such as Chagall, Giacometti, Klee, Hassam, Maurer, Miro, Picasso, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Utrillo. Barbee's commitment to art was not confined to auctions; he lent a Renoir painting to the 1941 Duveen Galleries exhibit, benefiting French Relief. In addition to his contributions to the art world, Barbee left a lasting architectural legacy: he played a pivotal role in the construction of the iconic Streamline Moderne-style Coca-Cola building in 1936–37. Working with architect Robert V. Derrah, they designed the structure to resemble a 1930s ocean liner, symbolizing modernity, cleanliness, and progress. |
