St. Johns, New Brunswick, Canada 1951

Curator: This is John Marin's 1951 graphite drawing, "St. Johns, New Brunswick, Canada." What's grabbing you right off the bat? Editor: It's so free. You know, almost like a daydream sketched onto paper. The energy of the lines, all loose and kind of scribbly... it feels incredibly alive. Not static, like some cityscapes can. Curator: Marin had a way of capturing movement. He aimed to convey the underlying forces animating a scene, more than photographic detail. Notice how he uses repeated, angular lines to define forms? It's like he's suggesting the push and pull of the elements, the wind, the water... Editor: Absolutely! Look at how he suggests water with those scribbled circles, those ripples… They're not precise, but they communicate the essence so beautifully. And the cityscape itself, so minimal, just enough to suggest a bustling harbour town. Curator: Marin saw the urban environment as something dynamic, in constant flux. He brings that sensibility to his landscapes. You'll find that energy too in his paintings, and particularly in his depictions of the Maine coast. Editor: It's like he's flirting with abstraction but remains grounded in reality. It gives you a sense of place without being overly descriptive. He gives me room to fill in the blanks, which I appreciate. I start picturing myself there, feeling the air. Curator: It's the beauty of suggestion. He provides a framework, and our own experiences color it in. It makes the piece very personal. A simple sketchbook page, filled with a world of possibilities. Editor: A world viewed with a generous, uncritical eye. Thanks to the playful character of the linework, what's presented to us feels joyful rather than bleak. Curator: I completely agree. It embodies an almost whimsical exploration, inviting endless reflection.