Old Court House, New Castle, Delaware 1931

In 1931, John Marin captured the Old Court House in New Castle, Delaware, with watercolor and graphite on paper. Marin was interested in the urban and architectural landscape of American cities and towns. This image shows a civic building, which in the history of art is traditionally a symbol of the power of the state. But Marin’s interest is not in celebrating this power. Instead, his rendering undermines the idea of the courthouse as a sturdy institution. The building is depicted with loose, gestural brushstrokes and dynamic lines. The colors are muted, and the composition is somewhat fragmented. The building appears almost as if it is about to collapse. This reflects the mood in America during the Great Depression when many public institutions came under scrutiny. To fully understand the context of this artwork, you might consider consulting historical records, newspaper archives, and studies of American art during the Depression era. By doing so, we can understand how artists like Marin were questioning the role of public institutions in times of social and economic upheaval.