The Beach at Night 1962

Robert Goodnough painted *The Beach at Night* using oils on a wooden panel, materials we often associate with traditional fine art. But here, they’re employed in an experimental way. Look closely, and you’ll see that Goodnough has allowed the wood grain to show through, even incorporating it into the composition. Patches of color – reds, whites, blues, and greens – are applied with a loose, almost gestural hand. They float across the surface, evoking the sensation of a nighttime beach scene without relying on explicit representation. The feeling of being on a beach at night comes across through the overall composition, the material, and the color palette. Goodnough was deeply engaged with the abstract expressionist movement, and often embraced spontaneity and improvisation in his work. By using these materials and techniques in an unorthodox way, he blurs the boundaries between painting and craft. This challenges our assumptions about what constitutes fine art, and invites us to appreciate the beauty and expressive potential of everyday materials.