Popocatepetl, Spirited Morning-Mexico
Painting on panel/board • Marsden Hartley (American, 1877–1943)
Style & Movement
American Modernism, featuring elements of Expressionism and Rythmic Abstraction.
Medium & Technique
Oil on board utilizing impasto, expressive brushwork, and bold color blocking consistent with American Modernist techniques.
Creation Period
1932
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 25 x 29 inches; horizontal landscape format.
Subject Description
A stylized depiction of the Mexican volcano Popocatepetl. The composition features the snow-capped peak rising above a dense ring of rounded, billowy white and blue clouds. The work reflects Hartley's fascination with the monumental and spiritual aspects of nature during his stay in Mexico.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent/Very Good; the paint surface appears stable and well-preserved within a museum-controlled environment.
Estimated Market Value
USD 800,000 - 1,200,000 (Based on high-demand for Hartley's landscape series and museum provenance).
Auction Estimate
USD 700,000 - 1,000,000
Provenance History
Gift of Sam Rose and Julie Walters to the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Previously held in private collections of the Rose family.
Art Historical Significance
A significant example of Hartley's 'Mexican period' (1932–33) where he explored mysticism and the 'archaic' landscape. This period is a crucial transition in his career as he moved toward a more simplified, monumental style later seen in his Maine landscapes.
Notable Features
The work is accompanied by a museum didactic label indicating its presence in the Smithsonian American Art Museum collection. Notable for its 'sculptural' cloud forms and the use of the 'volcano' as a symbolic, spiritual icon.
Condition Issues
Minor surface dust and very light age-related craquelure common for oil on board from the early 20th century; no visible losses or major restorations.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain stable humidity and temperature (approx 50% RH, 70°F). UV-filtered lighting and protective glazing recommended for long-term display in a frame.