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From Bold Island, Maine

A work made of watercolor with blotting, fabricated charcoal, and charcoal wash, on moderately thick, moderately textured, ivory wove paper.
© 2018 Estate of John Marin / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

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  • A work made of watercolor with blotting, fabricated charcoal, and charcoal wash, on moderately thick, moderately textured, ivory wove paper.

Date:

1923

Artist:

John Marin
American, 1870-1953

About this artwork

This is a view from an island on the western side of Jerico Bay, which served as a reference point for sailors headed west into Stonington, Maine. Strong triangles formed by two pine trees are echoed by the white sail of a fishing vessel. From the pooling of his washes, it seems Marin worked upright. Playing with his paint, he let the urge to manipulate it drive the marks he made. He reinforced his watercolor lines with fabricated chalk, establishing them as symbols of the forces that connect the big elements of nature. He contrasted the deep black charcoal lines with broad, pale, transparent watercolor brushstrokes, creating a sense of energy. The painted internal frame keeps warring elements in check and signals the artist’s filtering of objective reality through his own experience.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Prints and Drawings

Artist

John Marin

Title

From Bold Island, Maine

Place

United States (Artist's nationality:)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

1923

Medium

Watercolor with blotting, fabricated charcoal, and charcoal wash, on moderately thick, moderately textured, ivory wove paper

Dimensions

43.2 × 51.5 cm (17 1/16 × 20 5/16 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of Leo S. Guthman

Reference Number

2003.268

Copyright

© 2018 Estate of John Marin / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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