Standing Meitreya, unidentified artist, Eighteenth Century, China.
Movement: Marin
A Theme in the Work of One American Modernist
NEW YORK CITY – “Movement: Marin” at Richard York Gallery will be on view from November 9 through January 12. This exhibition will focus on the theme of movement in the work of American modernist John Marin (1870-1953). A selection of oils, watercolors, and drawings will demonstrate how Marin conveyed the dynamic energy of the American landscape in his compositions.
Movement was so important to Marin that as early as 1912, he used the word in the titles of his paintings. Indeed, in certain works, expressing a sense of movement was as important as transcribing the locale depicted. Marin expressed this vision of the landscape in paintings of New York City, such as “Telephone Building, Lower New York,” 1926 and in views of the Maine coast such a “Coast Trees, Deer Isle, Maine,” 1919, both of which will be included in the forthcoming exhibition.
He described this idea in 1913: “I see great forces at work – great movements – the large buildings and the small buildings – the warring of the great and the small – influences of one mass on another greater or smaller mass.
“Feelings are aroused which give me the desire to express the reaction of these pull forces – those influences which play with one another – great masses pulling smaller masses – each subject in some degree to the other’s power… While these powers are at work pushing, pulling, sideways, downwards, upwards, I can hear the sound of their strife and there is great music being played.”
The exhibition will be accompanied by an illustrated catalog.
The Richard York Gallery at 21 East 65th Street, is open Monday through Friday, 10 am to 5:30 pm, Saturday 10 am to 5 pm. For information 212-772-9155.
