Sunset 1922

John Marin made this watercolour, Sunset, probably in 1922, and what strikes me is how immediate it feels, like he’s capturing a fleeting moment. The brushstrokes are so free and expressive. Look at how he builds up the image with layers of transparent washes, letting the white of the paper peek through. The colours are vibrant, but also slightly muted, giving it a dreamlike quality. There’s this incredible energy in the way he’s applied the paint, almost as if he’s trying to capture the sensation of light itself. Notice the bold strokes of green and blue in the foreground, contrasted with the warm yellows and oranges of the sun. For me, it’s the dark horizontal brushstroke just below the sun that pulls the whole piece together. It’s simple, but it anchors the composition and adds a sense of depth. It reminds me a little of some of the early abstract painters, like Kandinsky, who were also exploring the emotional power of colour and form. Art is always a conversation, right?