Untitled, Downtown, Manhattan c. 1928

John Marin made this sketch of downtown Manhattan with graphite on paper. The drawing style feels immediate and process-driven, like he’s trying to capture a fleeting impression. It’s all about line here. The graphite is applied with varying pressure, some lines are dark and assertive, others light and tentative, creating a sense of depth. Look at the way he uses these lines to suggest the towering buildings, the movement of the street below, and the overall frenetic energy of the city. There is a beautiful economy to his marks and they capture the subject perfectly. Marin’s work reminds me of Cy Twombly’s scribbled drawings, but with an architectural focus. Both artists share a love of the intuitive mark and a willingness to embrace the unfinished. It's like they are reminding us that art isn’t about perfect representation, but about feeling and seeing in new ways.