Albert Lorey Groll – Monument Valley, Utah
Oil on Board | Early 20th Century

A striking depiction of Monument Valley’s vast and dramatic landscape, this atmospheric oil painting by Albert Lorey Groll captures the essence of the American Southwest. The scene is rendered in moody ochre tones, with dark rock formations rising from the desert floor, mirroring the heavy storm clouds above. Groll’s masterful use of light and shadow evokes a sense of awe, reflecting the grandeur and mystique of this sacred Navajo land.

Dimensions: 24 1/2" x 29 1/2" (Frame: 30 1/2" x 35 1/2")
Condition: Relined and re-varnished; restoration to the sky area.
Provenance: From the estate of Albert Groll.

About Monument Valley:
Located on the Colorado Plateau along the Utah-Arizona border, Monument Valley (Tsé Biiʼ Ndzisgaii in Navajo, meaning "Valley of the Rocks") is renowned for its towering sandstone buttes, some reaching heights of 1,000 feet. Considered sacred by the Navajo Nation, the valley’s otherworldly beauty has captivated artists, filmmakers, and travelers alike.

About the Artist:
Albert Lorey Groll (1866–1952) was an American landscape painter celebrated for his evocative portrayals of the Southwest. Trained in Europe at the Royal Academy in Munich, Antwerp, and London, he returned to the U.S. in 1895, shifting his focus from figure painting to landscapes. Groll’s artistic breakthrough came in 1904 when he traveled to Arizona with ethnologist Stuart Culin, immersing himself in the Southwest’s vast, untamed beauty. His paintings received critical acclaim, earning him a gold medal at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in 1906.

Highly regarded among both Eastern collectors and Native American communities—who honored him with the name Chief Bald-Head-Eagle Eye—Groll was inducted into the National Academy of Design in 1910. His works are housed in prestigious institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Museum, and the Smithsonian Institution.

This exceptional piece stands as a testament to Groll’s ability to capture the spirit of the American West, making it a valuable addition to any collection.