Abstraction 1917

John Marin created this watercolor "Abstraction" in the United States, likely around 1917. Marin, along with other artists of his generation, grappled with how to represent the energy and dynamism of modern life. Here, he moves away from traditional representation, exploring the interplay of shapes and colors to evoke a sense of movement and feeling. The overlapping forms and vibrant palette suggest a world in flux, mirroring the rapid industrialization and social changes happening in America at the time. This abstraction can also be viewed as a response to the rise of photography, which freed painters from the need to simply replicate reality. Studying Marin’s influences and the critical responses to his work provides further insight. Examining exhibition records, gallery ephemera, and period publications can reveal how "Abstraction" and similar works were received and understood within the cultural landscape of early 20th-century America.