William Goadby Lawrence (1913-2002)
Leaping Sailfish
signed "W. Goadby Lawrence" lower right
oil on canvas, 25 by 28 in.

William Goadby Lawrence was born in Rumson, New Jersey, in 1913. He attended the Art Students League in New York City and had his first show at the outfitters Abercrombie and Fitch. During World War II, he served as a combat artist and chief boatswain’s mate and experienced action in battles in North Africa and Japan.

After the war, Lawrence continued his artistic pursuits. His illustrations appeared in various magazines, including "Field and Stream." On February 28, 1942, the cover of "The Post" featured a marlin painting by Lawrence. His work was also published in Van Campen Heilner’s "Salt Water Fishing" and Bob Dunn and Peter Goadby’s "Saltwater Game Fishing of the World."

Lawrence’s paintings have been exhibited in the Library of Congress, the Museum of Natural History, and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Museum. Along with fellow fish painter, Stanley Meltzoff (1917-2006), Lawrence is considered one of the all-time masters of this genre.

Provenance: Private Collection, Kentucky

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