Flint Isle, Maine—No.1 1947

John Marin captured this scene of Flint Isle, Maine, with watercolor on paper. The dominant symbol is undoubtedly the sea itself, an archetypal motif representing the subconscious, the source of life, and the eternal flux of existence. Consider its presence throughout history: from ancient myths where Poseidon ruled the waves, to Renaissance allegories of Venus rising from the sea foam. The sea embodies both creation and destruction. Marin's energetic brushstrokes convey its restless, untamed nature. This primal force resonates with our deepest fears and longings. Just as the sea eternally crashes against the shore, so too does the subconscious mind relentlessly shape our perceptions. Marin’s choice to depict it in such an active state engages the viewer’s psyche, evoking a visceral response to nature’s formidable power. The cyclical nature of the tides mirror our own emotional ebbs and flows, an unending rhythm influencing human affairs.