Ye Old Dutch Church, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 1951

John Marin made this drawing of Ye Old Dutch Church in Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, with pencil on paper. It’s all about the line here, isn’t it? Thin, scratchy, and searching. I imagine Marin standing there, maybe a little cold, quickly trying to capture the essence of the church. He probably didn't want to get too bogged down in the details. Look at those lines describing the trees – so quick and gestural, like he's trying to catch the wind rustling through the leaves. And the church itself – it's solid, but also vibrating with energy. Those slightly wavering lines give it this sense of movement, as if the building is breathing. It's like Marin is saying, "Here's the church, but here's also how I feel about it." The sketch is spare, and yet, it says so much. I love his confidence and how, with so little, he evokes so much. We can see how so many artists find inspiration from those who come before them.