Untitled (Harbor Scene) 

This harbor scene was sketched by John Marin using watercolor and graphite. These are, of course, traditional fine art materials. Yet Marin's approach, so light and fleeting, seems almost to deny the preciousness of the medium. Look closely, and you can see how the graphite establishes a structural framework, which he then gently floods with washes of color. The paper itself remains visible throughout, adding to the impression of a scene observed in passing. The built environment of the harbor, where materials are transported and people work, is evoked with an extraordinary economy of means. We might even say that Marin is working in parallel with the stevedores and sailors who animate the place. It is through his direct and unpretentious working of the materials – graphite, watercolor, and paper – that Marin achieves such a powerful sense of immediacy. He reminds us that the most profound artistic statements can emerge from everyday encounters.