LLOYD GOFF (1908-1982). Storm Hits Long Island, 1938. Oil on canvas. 24in. x 36in.. Signed and dated lower right. Lloy...

Description

LLOYD GOFF (1908-1982)
Storm Hits Long Island, 1938
Oil on canvas
24in. x 36in.
Signed and dated lower right

Lloyd Goff was one of the first generation of "homegrown" Texas artists. He was a student of the newly-formed Dallas Art Institute under Olin Travis and Tom Stell. He also studied under Frank Reaugh, Frank Klepper, Martha Simpkins, and Nellie D. Clements. He accompanied Klepper to Europe and also studied at the Academies Julian and de la Grand Chaumiere. He acted as Reaugh's assistant and accompanied him on summer sketching trips throughout West Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado. In 1936, after growing local and national fame, Goff was awarded a prestigious scholarship to the Art Students League and studied under Paul Cadmus, Harry Sternberg, Kenneth Hays Miller, Charles Locke, George Grosz, and Kimon Nicolaides. It was during this period, while he was studying at the Art Students League, that this painting was executed.

The 1938 hurricane was the most intense tropical cyclone to strike the Atlantic coastline of the United States, north of the Carolinas. Every record for wind speed, tidal surge, and barometric pressure in New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island can be traced to this single event. The hurricane was given the moniker "The Long Island Express" because of the remarkable forward speed (and thus almost no warning) with which the storm traveled across the Atlantic Ocean.

In terms of fatalities and damage, the 1938 hurricane was one of the worst natural disasters in American history. More than 600 people were killed, 3,500 were injured, and 75,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed. The storm surge was so severe, seismographs 3,000 miles away recorded the event! All of this with little or no warning.

Having witnessed the terrible devastation of the "Dust Bowl" in Texas, Goff was now witness to another form of nature's destructive power. Just as the Lone Star Regionalists stared directly into the eye of the Dust Bowl's devastation and distilled the raw stark beauty of nature in the face of it, Goff's painting stares directly into the eye of this storm and finds the raw stark beauty of the hurricane's eye-wall. The trees are stripped bare of leaves, trunks are broken, and limbs are snapped. The cedars are undulating in the wind as a woman and three children run for their lives.

This painting was exhibited in the 1939 New York World's Fair American Art Today exhibition. Grover A. Whalen, president of New York Worlds Fair 1939 Inc., explained in the forward to the catalog: "The Fair Corporation is happy indeed to present to the American public this exhibition of American Art Today, which has been arranged by artist groups throughout the country and which will be representative of the best in contemporary American Art, including all schools and all phases of American expression today in painting, sculpture, and the graphic arts." All states and regions were represented with selection committees driven down to the local level. The work representing Texas caught the attention of Holger Cahill, a member of the Governing Committee for the fair. His essay entitled American Art Today stated: "The exhibition indicates that New York is still the art center of the nation, but it shows clearly that during recent years there has been a marked decentralization, and that a number of cities and towns throughout the country have risen to challenge the leadership of the eastern metropolis."

Selection of Lloyd Goff's painting from Texas would have been notable enough, but a close look at the catalog reveals an astonishing fact. Goff's painting was not selected by the Texas jury where friends/associates Jerry Bywaters and Alexandre Hogue were jurors. Because he was attending the Art Students League, Goff was only eligible to be selected by the New York jury, where thousands of aspiring artist were vying for a spot in the exhibition, versus the much easier competition back home in Texas. This fact speaks to the high regard New York jurors held for this Texas son.

This painting is rich with color, in excellent condition with glazes intact.

Provenance:
Fred R. Kline Gallery

Exhibited:
1939 New York World's Fair

Literature:
American Art Today - New York World's Fair, pictured page 80, illustration 183



*Heritage Auctions strives to provide as much information as possible but encourages in-person inspection by bidders. Statements regarding the condition of objects are only for general guidance and should not be relied upon as complete statements of fact, and do not constitute a representation, warranty or assumption of liability by Heritage. Some condition issues may not be noted in the condition report but are apparent in the provided photos which are considered part of the condition report. Please note that we do not de-frame lots estimated at $1,000 or less and may not be able to provide additional details for lots valued under $500. Heritage does not guarantee the condition of frames and shall not be liable for any damage/scratches to frames, glass/acrylic coverings, original boxes, display accessories, or art that has slipped in frames. All lots are sold "AS IS" under the Terms & Conditions of Auction.