Merry Christmas—Happy New Year 1935 - 1936

John Marin made this small card, Merry Christmas—Happy New Year, probably around the holidays of 1935 or 36. It’s a block print on paper. Look at how he’s used a reddish-brown tone like a warm hug. Imagine him carving out the shapes – a wonky Christmas tree and a funky bird – reversing the image in his mind to appear the right way around once printed. I can feel the artist’s hand at work here, as he gouges away the block to reveal a quirky message. You can almost feel the give of the linoleum as he cuts into it. That tree has such a strong diagonal thrust, as if it's bursting with festive energy, while the little bird feels like a cheerful blessing. I love the imperfect, hand-done lettering. Marin’s playfulness and experimentation with form and space really shine through here. This piece reminds us that art can be found in the simplest gestures.