Cattle Brand c. 1936

"Cattle Brand" is a minimalist ink drawing by J. Henry Marley, dating back to 1936. The composition features a simplified black and white rendering of a cattle brand, utilizing geometric shapes and a bold, graphic style. The abstract representation of a real-world symbol is a hallmark of Marley's artistic approach, blending abstract principles with the tangible elements of rural life. This drawing exemplifies his fascination with the imagery of the American West and its working class, often depicting tools, symbols and elements of western culture in a stylized and minimalist way.