Abstraction

1917

John Marin

Associated Names
John Marin

Artist, American, 1870 - 1953

The image showcases jagged and curvilinear shapes in an abstract composition. The predominant colors are pastel shades of blue, pink, and green. The forms overlap and intersect, with curved lines and angular shapes throughout. Some curved lines resemble crescent moons or rainbows, while angular shapes resemble fragmented puzzles. The upper section features a skyline-like silhouette in blue, with sharp pink forms that could be interpreted as arrows or birds. White and yellow elements interspersed below suggest energy, resembling lightning bolts or ribbons.
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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    watercolor over graphite on wove paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of John Marin, Jr.

  • Dimensions

    overall: 41.4 x 49.1 cm (16 5/16 x 19 5/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1986.54.98

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Reich 1970, 17.1

Artwork history & notes

Exhibition History

2016

  • World War I and American Art, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, 2016 - 2018, unnumbered catalogue.

Bibliography

1970

  • Reich, Sheldon. John Marin: A Stylistic Analysis and Catalogue Raisonné. Tucson: University of Arizona Press, 1970, no. 17.1.

1990

  • Fine, Ruth E. John Marin. Washington, DC: National Gallery of Art, 1990, p. 177, pl. 166.

2016

  • World War I and American Art. Exh. cat. Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, 2016-2017: 59,190, pl. 54.

Inscriptions

lower right in graphite: Marin 18; center verso in watercolor: John Marin / 1917; center verso in graphite: LCC / (Abstraction) / 16 1/4 x 19 1/4; upper right verso in graphite: NBM 2/3 /84 / SR 17/1

Wikidata ID

Q64582960

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