The Rubber Raft
Artist
Philip Evergood
(American, 1901–1973)
Dateabout 1945
Mediumoil on board
Dimensionscanvas: 70.5 x 101.4 cm (27 3/4 x 39 15/16 in.)
ClassificationsPaintings
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Helen Sagoff Slosberg
Object number1980.2
Label TextWhen this painting was included in the summer 1945 “Contemporary American Painting” exhibition at San Francisco’s California Palace of the Legion of Honor, a reviewer for Time magazine singled it out as “a war footnote in which two helpless, parched men sprawl on a raft surrounded by voracious sharks.” Like viewers today, the reviewer was doubtless captivated by the bold, violent colors and dramatic draftsmanship that helped emphasize the ominous storyline—as well as the detail of the vivid red mouths and snapping teeth of the hungry sharks encircling the doomed sailors.
Philip Evergood was known as much for his political activities as well as for his painting style, which united abstracted and surrealistic elements with representational scenes. The artist was a tireless advocate of the rights of workers. Not only did many of his works comment on the injustices labor faced, but he also participated in strikes and protests, several of which resulted in arrests.ProvenanceMrs. Helen Sagoff Slosberg, Boston MAOn View
Not on view
