Still Life (circa 1920)
Technique: Giclée quality print
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Marsden Hartley, an influential figure in American modernism, brings his unique interpretation to the genre of still life with this painting titled "Still Life" (circa 1920). The composition centers on an elegantly shaped vase, painted in a subdued palette of grays, holding a sprout of calla lilies. The flowers, with their smooth, enveloping petals, stand vibrantly against the darker, broad leaves, creating a harmonious interplay of form and color.Hartley's approach preserves the essence of the calla lilies, focusing on their graceful contours and the dramatic contrast between the white of the flower and the dark, rich greens of the leaves. The background, executed in muted tones, helps in drawing the viewer's attention directly to the central motif. This painting exemplifies Hartley’s capacity to convey complex emotions and visualization through simple yet impactful representation, embodying both a sense of tranquility and a deep, contemplative solitude.This work not only showcases Hartley's skill in handling still life subjects but also reflects his ongoing exploration of symbolism and emotion, common themes in his more extensive oeuvre.
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Marsden Hartley (1877–1943) is a Maine native and a leading American Modernist painter, along with his contemporaries, Arthur Dove and Georgia O’Keeffe. He is well-known for employing geometric abstraction as well as bold colors and lines. His paintings depicted imagery of nature, landscapes, figures, and still-life. Sponsored by Alfred Stieglitz, Hartley went to Europe in 1912, spending most of his time in Germany, where he met Gertrude Stein, Wassily Kandinsky, and Franz Marc. After returning to America in 1930, he reconnected with the New England of his childhood and started to portray the landscapes of New England in his paintings.