Sunset c. 1949

John Marin, born in 1870, was deeply embedded in the American art scene during a time of great social and artistic change. Marin’s watercolor, “Sunset,” is a powerful image, made all the more striking by his gestural and expressionistic style. At first glance, it’s a simple scene, but Marin was part of a generation grappling with what it meant to be modern. He sought to capture the energy and dynamism of the world around him. As Marin once said, "The main thing is, that I paint what I see before me." In this sunset, the vibrant orange, almost floral sun defies the muted greys of the landscape. This contrast embodies the tension between fleeting beauty and the more constant elements of nature. The painting pulls us into a moment of intense emotion. The work captures a feeling of solitude, yet it also celebrates the sheer force and beauty of the natural world.