New York c. 1921 - 1928

John Marin’s watercolour, New York, is, I think, less about the what and more about the how. The colour palette is quite reserved, almost like a faded memory of buildings rendered in blues, greys, and pinks. There’s a real sense of spontaneity in the way the watercolour washes have been applied. It looks as if Marin attacked the paper with a wet brush, letting the colours bleed and blend to create these transparent layers. Look closely at the windows on the right-hand side. It’s like a patchwork of squares, with red peeking through. This combination of colours creates a sense of depth, and the layering adds to the complexity of the composition. Marin's work reminds me of Paul Klee who also had a real knack for capturing the essence of a place with just a few simple strokes. To me, both artists see art as this continuous conversation, building on what's come before, and adding their unique voice to the mix.