Margo Hoff Figurative Paintings
American, 1912-2008
A prolific artist, Margo Hoff’s exquisite style evolved throughout her career yet was always rooted in the events, people, and places in her life. The human experience was her sole focus, expressed through her eyes alone. Born in 1910 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Hoff began creating white, clay animals at a young age, giving them to her friends and family. At eleven she contracted typhoid fever and was bedridden for a summer. During her convalescence, she drew and made cutouts, and it was during this time that her bold, artistic imagination came alive. She began formal art training in high school and continued her education at the University of Oklahoma, Tulsa. In 1933 she moved to Chicago and attended the National Academy of Art and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Between 1933 and 1960, her Chicago years, Hoff’s work was deeply rooted in a figurative, regionalist style. She often used elements of magical realism, and many of her paintings have dreamlike qualities. She lived, worked, taught, and painted in Europe, Mexico, Lebanon, Uganda, Brazil, and China. She also showed at the Denver Art Museum’s Annual Western Exhibitions in 1952, 54, 56 and 57. In 1957 she showed along-side Colorado modernist Vance Kirkland at the Denver Art Museum’s exhibition, Man’s Conquest of Space.
What was once a focus on the representational, her work began to change after 1957 when she saw Sputnik in its orbit around Earth. At that moment, feet firmly placed on the ground, she was able to imagine herself in space, looking down from the cosmos, and what she saw was an abstracted world. She then had the opportunity to peer into an electron microscope where once again she was looking down into what seemed to be a realm of pure abstraction. These two events profoundly changed her perspective and she began to move from figural painting to abstract, geometric collage.
In 1960, Hoff moved to New York City and she began creating collages. Placing the canvas on the ground, and working from all sides, she used strips of painted paper and tissue, and later painted pieces of canvas, glued onto the canvas surface, building layer upon layer, shape against shape, “action of color next to stillness of color.” She believed these simplified, abstracted forms held the spirit of the subject in the same way poetry reduces words to their essence. These pieces range from aerial cityscapes, to dancers in motions, to flora and fauna, whittled down to geometric shapes and flat, bold colors.
Hoff’s work was exhibited widely throughout the United States and in England, France, Italy, and Lebanon. She passed away in New York City at the age of 98, leaving a rich legacy behind.
Margo Hoff’s works are in the collections of: The Art Institute of Chicago, the Brooklyn Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and the Whitney Museum of American Art.(Biography provided by David Cook Galleries)
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Artist: Margo Hoff
Break Dance, 1975 Large Abstract Figurative Collage Painting, Black Pink Purple
By Margo Hoff
Located in Denver, CO
'Break Dancers' is an original vintage 1980s painting by Chicago artist, Margo Hoff (1910-2008).
From the artist's "Action Series" the painting depicts ...
Category
1970s Abstract Margo Hoff Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
Skaters (Action Series), 1970s Figurative Abstract Collage Mixed Media Painting
By Margo Hoff
Located in Denver, CO
Acrylic, crayon, and paper mixed media collage on stretched canvas titled 'Skater' from the 'Action Series' signed by Margo Hoff (1910-2008). Featuring 12 figures in shades of yellow...
Category
20th Century Abstract Margo Hoff Figurative Paintings
Materials
Crayon, Archival Paper, Acrylic, Mixed Media
Dark Divers, Underwater Abstract Figurative Collage Painting, Blue Black, Red
By Margo Hoff
Located in Denver, CO
Margo Hoff (1910-2008) original signed painting "Dark Divers" circa 1985, mixed media on canvas (acrylic, crayon, paper collage on stretched canvas) - 20th century Chicago woman artist. Wrapped canvas has finished edges and is ready for hanging.
Provenance: Estate of the Artist, Margo Hoff
Painting is clean and in very good condition - please contact us for a detailed condition report.
A prolific artist, Margo Hoff’s exquisite style evolved throughout her career yet was always rooted in the events, people, and places in her life. The human experience was her sole focus, expressed through her eyes alone. Born in 1910 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Hoff began creating white-clay animals at a young age, giving them to her friends and family. At eleven she contracted typhoid fever and was bedridden for a summer. During her convalescence, she drew and made cutouts, and it was during this time that her bold, artistic imagination came alive. She began formal art training in high school and continued her education at the University of Oklahoma, Tulsa. In 1933 she moved to Chicago and attended the National Academy of Art and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Between 1933 and 1960—her Chicago years—Hoff’s works was deeply rooted in a figurative, regionalist style. She often used elements of magical realism, and many of her paintings have dreamlike qualities. As a child she learned about color by grinding down rocks, plants, and berries. Her color pallet during the Chicago years is indicative of her early-life color experimentation as she consistently used warm, earth tones in her work. Hoff was a born adventurer and traveled extensively. She lived, worked, taught, and painted in Europe, Mexico, Lebanon, Uganda, Brazil, and China. She also showed at the Denver Art Museum’s Annual Western Exhibitions in 1952-54, 56, and 57. In 1957 she showed along side Colorado modernist Vance Kirkland at the Denver Art Museum’s exhibition, Man's Conquest of Space.
What was once a focus on the representational, her work began to change after 1957 when she saw Sputnik in its orbit around Earth. At that moment, feet firmly placed on the ground, she was able to imagine herself in space, looking down from the cosmos, and what she saw was an abstracted world. She then had the opportunity to peer into an electron microscope where once again she was looking down into what seemed to be a realm of pure abstraction. These two events profoundly changed her perspective and she began to move from figural painting to abstract, geometric collage.
In 1960, Hoff moved to New York City and she began creating collages. Placing the canvas on the ground, and working from all sides, she used strips of painted paper and tissue—and later painted pieces of canvas—glued onto the canvas surface, building layer upon layer, shape against shape, “action of color next to stillness of color.” She believed these simplified, abstracted forms held the spirit of the subject in the same way poetry reduces words to their essence. These pieces range from aerial cityscapes, to dancers in motions, to flora...
Category
1980s Abstract Margo Hoff Figurative Paintings
Materials
Mixed Media
Portrait of a Man in Profile Smoking a Pipe, Orange, Blue, Brown, Gray
By Margo Hoff
Located in Denver, CO
Vintage original painting by 20th century Chicago/Manhattan woman artist, Margo Hoff. The untitled painting is of an older man with gray hair shown in profile with an orange backgro...
Category
20th Century American Modern Margo Hoff Figurative Paintings
Materials
Graphite, Casein, Acrylic, Masonite
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Margo Hoff figurative paintings for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Margo Hoff figurative paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of figurative paintings to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of red and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Margo Hoff in mixed media, acrylic paint, paint and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the abstract style. Not every interior allows for large Margo Hoff figurative paintings, so small editions measuring 46 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Mark Lavatelli, Harriette Joffe, and Jerzy Kubina. Margo Hoff figurative paintings prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $10,500 and tops out at $17,250, while the average work can sell for $16,500.