White Flower by Marsden Hartley
Marsden Hartley's 'White Flower,' painted in 1917, is a striking example of American Modernism held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Look closely at the petals of the white flower; the paint is applied so thickly it almost appears sculptural. This impasto technique, visible throughout the work, emphasizes the physicality of the paint itself.
Hartley, an American painter, poet, and essayist, developed his style after observing Cubist artists in Paris and Berlin. This influence can be seen in the bold forms and distinct brushwork. The painting entered the Met's collection the same year it was created, a testament to its immediate artistic recognition.
What do you notice first about Hartley's unique brushwork?
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Transcript
This painting is called "White Flower." The flower appears almost sculptural, with thick, flat paint. The artist, Marsden Hartley, was an American Modernist. He trained in Paris and Berlin, influenced by Cubist painters. Notice the thick, visible brushwork throughout the painting. It highlights the artist's hand and the materiality of the paint. It entered The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1917.