Maritime 1931

Karl Knaths made this painting, Maritime, using oil on canvas. Knaths engaged with the language of modernist painting – Cubism and abstraction – to evoke the feeling of the sea. But it is how he has worked the paint that is of particular interest. Look closely, and you’ll see that Knaths built up layers of color and texture, creating an almost gritty surface. This materiality contributes to the painting's impact. The arrangement of solid blocks of color, interspersed with vertical stripes, suggests the division of labor and industry found at the docks. The painting is reminiscent of the working waterfront and the physical labor that goes into maritime trades. So, while "Maritime" may seem abstract at first glance, the artist's choice of materials and techniques lends the artwork a cultural significance, nodding to the working class.