Cleve Gray-(American, 1918-2004) Early Oil on Canvas Board Painting by Cleve Gray signed and dated 1941. One of the earliest Cleve Gray paintings to come to auction, the current owner acquired this piece from the daughter of the original owners, she and her parents being from the Tuscon, Arizona area. Cleave Gray was in Tuscon at the end of 1941 into 1942 prior to enlisting in the U.S. Army. Signed by the artist and dated '41, this painting clearly is a reaction to the December 7, 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The painting depicts U.S. Fighter planes attacking a Japanese Battle Ship with vivid color and action. With this in mind we can date the commencement of the painting, if not the completion, to December 8-December 31, 1941. In this early work the potential and passion of the artist is evident. In a close look at Grays works from the 1940's and early 1950's the progression and development of the style exhibited in this painting can be undoubtedly detected. While his work would progress toward the abstract expressionism that he would ultimately be associated with, this very early work is consistent with the Cubist angularity and structure of his collegiate and earlier works. Reverse with F. Weber Company Artist Materials, Philadelphia, Pa. label. Board 20" x 30".