AFA 18th Anniversary

18th Anniversary 126 www.afamag.com | w ww.incollect.com John Marin (1870–1953), Landscape, Ramapo Mountains, New Jersey, 1942. Watercolor and charcoal on textured watercolor paper, 14¾ x 17⅛ inches. Arkansas Arts Center Foundation Collection; Gift of Norma B. Marin (2013.018.139). Normally, when Marin was working in rural locations in Maine and elsewhere around New England and the Mid- Atlantic states, he made few sketches. He simply drew right on his watercolor paper and the completed watercolor incorporated the sketch. However, the Arts Center owns works that are an exception to this practice. When he could not retreat all the way from New Jersey to Maine, as when gas rationing made travel difficult during World War II, Marin at times found paintable scenery in the nearby Ramapo Mountains of New York and New Jersey. This beautiful wilderness is so close to New York City that, from some ridges, the Manhattan Skyline is visible. There, Marin made two small watercolor sketches that became the basis for his full-scale watercolor, Ramapo Landscape . It is interesting to compare the changes of detail and color between the swift, simplified sketch and the fully realized watercolor. John Marin (1870–1953), Ramapo Landscape, ca. 1942. Watercolor, graphite, and black colored pencil on paper, 5½ x 8⅞ inches. Arkansas Arts Center Foundation Collection; Gift of Norma B. Marin (2013.018.229).