Movement in White, Umber, and Cobalt Green 1950

John Marin made this evocative watercolor, *Movement in White, Umber, and Cobalt Green*, using pigments that were increasingly available in the modern era. Marin was interested in the vitality of industrial America. His energetic brushstrokes and fractured compositions sought to capture the dynamism of urban life. Consider the way he has applied the watercolor. The pigments create a sense of depth and luminosity, as the white shines through layers of umber and green. Marin's method speaks to a broader story of mass production and consumption. By embracing the industrial production of art materials, he aligned himself with the energy of a rapidly changing world. He reminds us that art is always enmeshed in the economic realities of its time. By looking closely at materials and methods, we gain a richer understanding of the artwork.