John Marin Original Antique American Modernist Abstract New Jersey Wooded Landscape Oil Painting
Original antique New Jersey wooded landscape by American modernist artist John Marin(1870-1953). John Marin is best known for his watercolors and etchings, particularly his abstract landscapes and cityscapes. Some of his early works such as this painting, were more impressionistic before transitioning into abstraction.
This original, antique John Marin painting is an oil on board, and the painting alone measures approximately 27 3/4" X 22"H. In frame, the painting measures 24.5" X 30.5". The painting is signed in red in the far lower right corner. The condition of the painting is good, however, there is some crackle due to age isolated to the lower right corner of the painting, near the signature. The paint is all original. There have been no chemical cleanings or overpainting; the paint is stable. Estimated to have been created by the artist in approximately 1920 or earlier. Please review all images for condition details.
John Marin (1870–1953) was a pioneering American modernist painter, best known for his dynamic watercolors and expressive landscapes that helped shape early 20th-century American art. Born on December 23, 1870, in Rutherford, New Jersey, Marin initially studied architecture at the Stevens Institute of Technology before turning to art. He later enrolled at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and studied at the Art Students League in New York.
Marin spent several years in Europe, particularly in Paris, where he became influenced by the burgeoning modernist movements, including Impressionism, Fauvism, and especially Cubism. It was during his time abroad that he began to develop a distinctive style, merging traditional subjects like landscapes and cityscapes with bold color, abstraction, and gestural brushwork.
Upon returning to the United States in the early 20th century, Marin became closely associated with photographer and art dealer Alfred Stieglitz, who exhibited his work at the influential 291 Gallery. Stieglitz championed Marin’s art, placing him alongside figures such as Georgia O’Keeffe, Arthur Dove, and Charles Demuth in the development of an authentically American modernist style.
Marin’s watercolors and oils often depicted the rugged coastlines of Maine, the urban energy of New York City, and the rhythms of nature. His work is marked by a spontaneous, almost musical sense of composition, combining fluid washes with sharp, angular forms. He was especially noted for his ability to capture movement and atmosphere, making his landscapes feel alive with emotional intensity.
Throughout his career, Marin was widely exhibited and collected, and by the 1940s, he was recognized as one of the most important American artists of his time. He continued to paint until his death on October 2, 1953, in Cape Split, Maine.
John Marin’s legacy lies in his innovative fusion of abstraction with representation, paving the way for the Abstract Expressionist movement and reinforcing the vitality of watercolor as a serious medium in modern art.
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