Manhattan Cityscape 

John Marin rendered "Manhattan Cityscape" with graphite on paper, capturing a quickly rendered image of the iconic skyline. As an American modernist, Marin was deeply influenced by the urban energy of New York City, and he used his art to express the dynamism he felt. This sketch is a fleeting glimpse of the city’s architecture, reflecting Marin's unique approach to capturing the essence of the modern experience. His style broke away from traditional landscape art, mirroring the swift, dramatic changes that defined the era, while engaging in an emotional dialogue with the urban environment. Marin once said, “The whole city is alive; buildings, people, all are alive; and the more they move me the more I feel them to be alive.” This work invites us to contemplate the human impact of urban life, and the speed and scale of early 20th century growth. It’s not just a landscape, it is also a reflection of the modern American identity.