Marsden Hartley

Briefly describes Hartley's life and career, shows examples of his paintings, and assesses his influence on modern art

Hartley (1877-1943) worked in so many radically different styles as a painter that his full genius has yet to be appreciated. Fauvist color experiments, luminous landscapes inspired by Emersonian transcendentalism, semi-abstracts fusing geometry with German military symbols, Amerindian visionsall these were signposts in the spiritual quest of a self-exiled refugee from Maine who roamed Paris, Berlin, Taos and Mexico, only to return to his New England roots. Crisply written and splendidly illustrated, Scott's bright narrative lets us appreciate the varied facets of this ever-wandering artist. Editor of Hartley's essays and collected poems, she demonstrates how strikingly original he was, for example, in the "magic mountain" landscapes of New England, or the late portraits of gawky, square-shouldered men that propelled the human figure into the realm of religious painting.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

The richness of Marsden Hartley's paintings is well presented here, in both the lush reproductions of his work and in the warmly appreciative critical/biographical text. Having previously edited Hartley's poems and essays, Scott brings insight to the artist and his images. The notion that art, particularly painting, is a blend of imagination, appropriation from other artists, and the painter's persona, is seamlessly demonstrated through words and visuals. Artists better known than Hartley might envy the fine examination of a painter's inspiration and sense of place that Scott gives us. Highly recommended. David Bryant, Belleville P.L., N.J.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.