Visionary Moments: John Marin

May 16 – September 6, 2025

Visionary Moments features over 30 works by modern art master John Marin (1870-1953). Marin is revered internationally, but also has inextricable ties to Maine’s rich artistic history. Beginning with his first visit in 1914, and continuing until his death in 1953, the artist spent significant time in Maine. His longest residency was at his home and studio in Cape Split on the rugged Downeast Maine coast. In this exhibition we see the evolution of Marin’s creative process and approach to art-making.  

Beginning with detailed depictions of dramatic European architecture in etchings from 1906 through 1909, and extending to spirited landscapes that border on abstraction, the artist’s transformation is evident. Brimming with expressive brushstrokes, the show features paintings in which he captured locations in Maine, New Jersey, and Tyrol, Austria, in both oil and watercolor.  

The Marin family has been dedicated and longstanding supporters of the visual arts in Maine for decades. This exhibition specifically celebrates the Marin family’s relationship with the Zillman Art Museum (ZAM) and the University of Maine Machias. The Marin’s generous gift to ZAM numbers over 20 works of art and includes drawings, etchings, and watercolors. Visionary Moments showcases an enticing assortment of works that offers a window into the soul of this American modernist luminary. 

  • Cathedral, Laon I, 1906. Etching. Museum of Art Alliance, Gift of Lisa Marie Marin, AA2005.1.1
  • Laon, 1906. Etching. Museum of Art Alliance, Gift of Lisa Marie Marin, AA2005.1.2
  • Notre Dame, Paris, 1908. Etching. Gift of Adeline and Caroline Wing, 53.33.G
  • St. Gervais, Rue Grenier Sur L’eau, Paris, 1909. Etching. Museum of Art Alliance, Gift of Lisa Marie Marin, AA2005.1.3
  • Chartes Cathedral, 1910. Etching. Museum of Art Alliance, Gift of Lisa Marie Marin, AA2005.1.4
  • The Brook, Tyrol Series I, 1910. Watercolor. On loan from the John Marin Foundation, Courtesy of the Schoelkopf Gallery
  • Woolworth Building, No. 2, 1913. Etching and drypoint. Gift of Robert Venn Carr, Jr., 88.10.5
  • Weehawken Sequence #80, c. 1916. Oil on canvas board. Gift of John C. and Norma B. Marin, On loan from the University of Maine at Machias
  • Weehawken Sequence, c. 1916. Oil on canvas board. On loan from the John Marin Foundation, Courtesy of the Schoelkopf Gallery
  • Weehawken Sequence, c. 1916. Oil on canvas board. On loan from the John Marin Foundation, Courtesy of the Schoelkopf Gallery
  • Low Tide, Moosehead Point, Maine, 1919. Watercolor and charcoal. On loan from the John Marin Foundation, Courtesy of the Schoelkopf Gallery
  • Downtown, The El, 1921. Etching. Museum of Art Alliance, Gift of Lisa Marie Marin, AA2005.1.5
  • Downtown New York, Three Movements, 1925. Etching. Museum of Art Alliance, Gift of Lisa Marie Marin, AA2005.1.7
  • Downtown Synthesis, 1925. Etching. Museum of Art Alliance, Gift of Lisa Marie Marin, AA2005.1.6
  • River Movement, 1925. Etching. Museum of Art Alliance, Gift of Lisa Marie Marin, AA2005.1.8
  • St. Paul’s New York, 1925. Etching. Museum of Art Alliance, Gift of Lisa Marie Marin, AA2005.1.15
  • Untitled (Three-Masters in Full Sail), 1925. Pencil. Museum of Art Alliance, Gift of Lisa Marie Marin, AA2005.1.17
  • A Bit of Stonington, Maine, 1962. Watercolor. Anonymous donor, 57.42.P
  • Taos Indian Rabbit Hunt, 1929. Watercolor. Gift of John C. and Norma B. Marin, On loan from the University of Maine at Machias
  • Skyscrapers in Construction #1, 1930. Etching. Museum of Art Alliance, Gift of Lisa Marie Marin, AA2005.1.14
  • St. Paul’s Against the El, 1930. Etching. Museum of Art Alliance, Gift of Lisa Marie Marin, AA2005.1.9
  • Approach to Bridge, 1931. Etching. Museum of Art Alliance, Gift of Lisa Marie Marin, AA2005.1.11
  • Lower Manhattan from the Bridge, 1931. Etching. Museum of Art Alliance, Gift of Lisa Marie Marin, AA2005.1.10
  • Sailboat, 1932. Etching. Museum of Art Alliance, Gift of Lisa Marie Marin, AA2005.1.12
  • Untitled (Boat in Rough Sea), 1939. Pencil. Museum of Art Alliance, Gift of Lisa Marie Marin, AA2005.1.16
  • Untitled (Lobster Fisherman), 1939. Pencil. Museum of Art Alliance, Gift of Lisa Marie Marin, AA2005.1.22
  • Untitled (Study for Sea and Boat #2), 1939. Black Crayon. Museum of Art Alliance, Gift of Lisa Marie Marin, AA2005.1.20
  • Marin Spring #8, 1939. Oil on canvas board. Gift of John C. and Norma B. Marin, On loan from the University of Maine at Machias
  • Marin Spring #13, 1939. Oil on canvas board. Gift of John C. and Norma B. Marin, On loan from the University of Maine at Machias
  • A Bit of Cape Split, 1940. Watercolor. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John C. Marin Jr., 57.20.P
  • Iron Model in Doorway, Bangor, Maine, 1940. Pencil. Museum of Art Alliance, Gift of Lisa Marie Marin, AA2005.1.19
  • Untitled (Sailboat Fantasy), 1942. Pencil. Museum of Art Alliance, Gift of Lisa Marie Marin, AA2005.1.18
  • The Maple Tree, Addison, Maine, 1944. Watercolor and graphite. Private Collection, Care of the Schoelkopf Gallery
  • The Lobster Fisherman, 1948. Etching. Museum of Art Alliance, Gift of Lisa Marie Marin, AA2005.1.13