John Marin

About this artwork

Along with fellow Photo-Secessionists and avant-garde European artists, Stieglitz also began to promote the work of a new generation of American painters at his gallery. He made portraits of many of them as well, as seen here in the images of John Marin, Arthur Dove, and Marsden Hartley. While utterly modern in approach, these photographs hearken back to the work of both David Octavius Hill and Julia Margaret Cameron—whom Stieglitz had discovered only a few years earlier—with figures emerging fr...

Art Historical Context

In 1910, pioneering photographer Alfred Stieglitz captured this intimate platinum print portrait of fellow artist John Marin, a key figure in American modernism. Titled simply *John Marin*, the image showcases Stieglitz's in documenting the creative luminaries of his era. Marin, renowned for his energetic watercolor cityscapes and abstract landscapes, was part of Stieglitz's inner circle at New York's Gallery 291 (also known as 291), where the photographer championed avant-garde art through exhibitions and publications like *Camera Work*. The platinum print medium, favored by Stieglitz for its exceptional tonal depth, subtle gradations, and archival longevity, elevates this work beyond mere documentation. Measuring about 9⅜ × 7¼ inches on its original paper, the print's rich blacks and delicate highlights reflect Pictorialist influences while hinting at Stieglitz's shift toward "straight photography." This technique preserved fine details with a velvety matte surface, making it ideal for gallery display. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Photography and Media department, this piece highlights Stieglitz's dual role as artist and tastemaker, bridging photography with painting in the early 20th century. It offers visitors a window into the vibrant Greenwich Village scene, where collaborations like this fueled America's modernist awakening.

About the Artist

Alfred Stieglitz · 1864–1946

Alfred Stieglitz (1864-1946) was a pioneering American photographer, art dealer, publisher, and advocate for the Modernist movement who was instrumental over his 50-year career in making photography an accepted art form. Born in Hoboken, New Jersey, to German Jewish immigrant parents, Stieglitz spent his formative years studying mechanical engineering in Berlin, where he discovered photography in ...