Bowl of Fruit 1923

Here at the Art Institute of Chicago is Marsden Hartley's Bowl of Fruit, a print in black ink on paper. The drawing contrasts the starkness of black ink against the white background, creating bold shapes and an almost sculptural presence. Hartley emphasizes line and form, reducing the fruits and bowl to their essential shapes. Thick brushstrokes define the contours, imparting a sense of volume and weight to the composition, while the heavy lines around the bowl and fruits convey a robust, tangible quality. The use of abstraction is striking. It’s less about replicating reality and more about capturing the idea of a still life, focusing on the structural elements that define the subject. Note the strategic use of negative space, lending the composition balance, inviting viewers to engage with the interplay of light and shadow and the interplay between what is depicted and what is left unseen. It serves to challenge our perceptions of depth and form.