“Marsden Spilling” Modern Acrylic Painting After Hartley’s “Smelt Brook Falls’

The contemporary artwork titled “Marsden Spilling ” (October 1969), attributed to an artist with an unfortunately illegible signature, serves as a homage to Marsden Hartley’s 1937 painting, “Smelt Brook Falls,” showcased at the Saint Louis Art Museum in Missouri, USA.

Understanding the artist’s intent behind “Marsden Spilling ” necessitates recalling the essence of Hartley’s 1937 piece. “Smelt Brook Falls” epitomizes Marsden Hartley’s fascination with abstraction and the expression of nature’s essence. A jagged, rushing waterfall dominates the canvas with its stark, white shapes outlined heavily in black against a bold, rust-colored backdrop. Influenced by modern European movements, Hartley’s Cubist and Expressionist inclinations manifest in contoured, angular lines and the distorted, simplified portrayal of the landscape. Hartley once revered waterfalls, stating, “I love falling water – no lake or pond can give me what a waterfall can.”

This contemporary piece’s intention becomes clearer in light of Hartley’s original artwork. The strategically placed words “Marsden” atop and an inverted “Spilling” word beneath the frame act like a reflection in the water. The artist symbolically featured a blue background of crashing waves and fog, achieved through continuous strokes of blue and white.

The artwork presents a clever close-up reimagining of Marsden’s waterfall scene. While Hartley’s piece embraced contoured and angular lines, this artist employs a more chaotic style. The chosen technique and approach accentuate the meta-meaning of the artwork, suggesting that Marsden’s influence on the art world transcended a structured style, appearing more pervasive and decentralized. Ultimately, “Marsden Spilling” pays homage to this influential figure in modern art.