Never heard of the artist Margo Hoff? You’re DEFINITELY not alone. Join as I investigate the mystery of why this important artist has flown under the radar despite being in the biggest museums and exhibited alongside the most celebrated names in 20th century art. Once an American toasted in Paris, how has she faded into obscurity even while remaining on the walls of major museums?
shawnpatrickboyd.substack.com (https://shawnpatrickboyd.substack.com/s/margo-hoff-is-hiding-in-plain-sight?utm_medium=podcast)
Margo Hoff is Hiding in Plain Sight | Episode 3: The Afterlife of an Artist Gets Weird
In this episode we share some recent news that indicates that Margo Hoff is taking off. Why didn’t it happen before? Find out.
Show Notes
Surprise Party (http://www.ragoarts.com/auctions/2026/09/post-war-contemporary-art/139?utm_campaign=1355_rago_pwc_art_sept_2026&utm_medium=email&utm_source=followed_artist)
Woman in the Forest (https://www.artnet.com/artists/margo-hoff/woman-in-the-forest-5Nxrh7zV3NOdah-hWyg5Gg2)
World Artists 1980-1990 (https://www.marlowesbooks.com/World-Artists.-1980-1990.-An-H.W.Wilson-Biographical-Dictionary-Marks-Claude-Book-72604?srsltid=AYCX9vLv6V3F-2lOl4SKVqo3I-hJw3eKXXlQRyrGh-QoC3jYmRxi7fUK)
Gertrude Abercrombie (https://share.google/T07vPH5LTLhSXcWxc)
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shawnpatrickboyd.substack.com (https://shawnpatrickboyd.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
9 Oct 2026
Margo Hoff is Hiding in Plain Sight | Episode 2: Into the Lion’s Den
Despite ascending to the heights of the art world from the 1940s to the 1990s, Margo Hoff has been overlooked and obscured for years. Join me as I investigate the mystery of why this important artist has flown under the radar despite being in the biggest museums and exhibited alongside the most celebrated names in 20th century art.
In this episode, we dive deeper into her story, looking into her rise to acclaim from the 1930s to the 1950s. We also share what we learned, connecting with her daughter.
Enjoy, and look out for episode 3 on 10/26!
SHOW NOTES
Art Institute of Chicago Lions (https://www.artic.edu/articles/720/the-lions-of-michigan-avenue)
Art Institute of Chicago Archives (https://www.artic.edu/exhibitions/history)
Max Kahn (https://www.artic.edu/artists/35181/max-kahn)
Eleanor Coen (https://www.artic.edu/artists/34002/eleanor-coen)
Francis Chapin (https://www.artic.edu/artists/33918/francis-chapin)
George Buehr (https://share.google/WYxGHU5ugVY9CPK7K)
Margo Hoff In Paris (https://picryl.com/media/margo-hoff-ec358a)
Margo Hoff Work
Murder Mystery (https://www.artic.edu/artworks/54757/murder-mystery)
Haymarket 7316 (https://peytonwright.com/modern/artwork/haymarket/)
Siesta Upstairs (https://peytonwright.com/modern/artwork/siesta-upstairs/)
Cat Child (https://www.instagram.com/p/DeHV_h2R_Cp/?stkn=MTc2dWw0dzhiN3IyYg==)
Child Drawing (https://www.instagram.com/p/DeQeJ46RusN/?cplk=MXIwbjhqempiOTI3Ng%3D%3D)
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shawnpatrickboyd.substack.com (https://shawnpatrickboyd.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
27 Sept 2026
Margo Hoff is Hiding in Plain Sight | Episode 1
Despite ascending to the heights of the art world from the 1940s to the 1990s, Margo Hoff has been overlooked and obscured for years. Join me as I investigate the mystery of why this important artist has flown under the radar despite being in the biggest museums and exhibited alongside the most celebrated names in 20th century art.
SHOW NOTES
-Margo Hoff, Art Institute of Chicago Overview (https://www.artic.edu/articles/930/red-things-kinds-of-light-and-the-enduring-warmth-of-margo-hoff)
- Peyton Wright Gallery (https://peytonwright.com/modern/artists/margo-hoff/) , David Cook Gallery (https://davidcookgalleries.com/collections/margo-hoff-1910-2008?srsltid=AU7gw4Xaxic3JmYhf1HXJn-3KoJ7zQXTX6H1S4aiNiQF4P-s5m9kWEop)
- Gertrude Abercrombie retrospective “The Whole World Is a Mystery” (https://museum.colby.edu/exhibitions/gertrude-abercrombie-the-whole-world-is-a-mystery)
- Select paintings & pieces of art referenced
* 1940s Chicago: Haymarket 7316 (https://peytonwright.com/modern/artwork/haymarket/), Factory at Night (https://peytonwright.com/modern/artwork/factory-at-night/), Restaurant Scene (https://peytonwright.com/modern/artwork/restaurant-scene/)
* Boy and Angels (https://peytonwright.com/modern/artwork/boy-and-angels/), Lighted Candles (https://peytonwright.com/modern/artwork/lighted-candles/)
* Chicago, Night Flight (https://peytonwright.com/modern/artwork/chicago-night-flight/)
* Camelia Tree (https://peytonwright.com/modern/artwork/camelia-tree/)
* Jagged Sea (Ireland (https://peytonwright.com/modern/artwork/jagged-sea/)), Untitled II (Sea -Wall) (https://peytonwright.com/modern/artwork/untitled-ii-sea-wall/)
* Wine Bottles (https://peytonwright.com/modern/artwork/wine-bottles/)
- Select Margo Hoff work to check out (It’s hard to choose. She was PROLIFIC. And great.)
* The Well (https://www.wright20.com/auctions/2025/12/elevated-art-via-chicago/121)
* Murder Mystery (https://www.artic.edu/artworks/54757/murder-mystery)
* Surprise Party (https://www.ragoarts.com/auctions/2026/09/post-war-contemporary-art/139?utm_campaign=1355_rago_pwc_art_sept_2026&utm_medium=email&utm_source=followed_artist)
* Dream of Flying (https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6586026)
* Siesta Upstairs (https://peytonwright.com/modern/inquire/siesta-upstairs/28113/)
* Corps De Ballet (https://peytonwright.com/modern/artwork/corps-de-ballet/)
* Pyramid White (https://peytonwright.com/modern/artwork/pyramid-white/)
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shawnpatrickboyd.substack.com (https://shawnpatrickboyd.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
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