The artwork titled “Off York Island,” created by John Marin in 1922, is an evocative piece representative of the Abstract Art and Expressionism movements. Classified within the marina genre, this work captures the tumultuous essence of the sea.
The artwork presents an abstract and expressive depiction of a seascape, where cascading waves dominate the composition. Utilizing a muted palette of whites, blues, and subtle earth tones, the artist conveys the powerful movement of the ocean. The waves are rendered with broad, gestural strokes, imparting a sense of dynamism and vigor. These strokes are interspersed with contrasting dark and light areas, suggesting the foam and shadows amongst the water. The absence of defined lines and the blending of hues reflect the artist’s intention to portray the raw, untamed nature of the sea, rather than a precise, representational image.
