Skip to main content Smithsonian Institution

Catalog Data

Artist:
Marsden Hartley, born Lewiston, ME 1877-died Ellsworth, ME 1943  Search this
Medium:
oil on fiberboard
Dimensions:
22 x 28 in. (55.9 x 71.1 cm)
Type:
Painting
Date:
1940-1941
Luce Center Label:
In 1937, after years of travel, Marsden Hartley returned to his native Maine, where he lived and worked for the rest of his life. Inspired by the rugged landscape, he painted images of the coast and surrounding area; Mt. Katahdin, the state's highest peak, features in numerous works. He also created elegant still lifes, floral studies as well as pictures featuring lobster traps, nets, and buoys---the trappings of the fisherman's life---including Lobster on Black Background. Often in ill health, his eyesight failing him in these last years, Hartley nevertheless held fast to his love of nature and fascination with form and realism---seen here in the simply rendered directness and crisp outlines of a Maine lobster.
Topic:
Animal\fish\lobster  Search this
Credit Line:
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mr. Henry P. McIlhenny
Object number:
1978.52
Restrictions & Rights:
CC0
See more items in:
Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection
Department:
Painting and Sculpture
On View:
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center, 4th Floor, 34A
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center, 4th Floor
Data Source:
Smithsonian American Art Museum
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/vk73e3ccf00-905f-4db2-ab83-fc891dea5b4b
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:saam_1978.52