Wash Coast (Washington Coast)
Painting on canvas (likely canvas board or stretched canvas) • Myrtle Marlin
Style & Movement
Mid-century American Regionalism / Realism; a traditional landscape painting typical of mid-20th-century amateur or local professional artists in the Pacific Northwest.
Medium & Technique
Oil or acrylic on canvas; utilizing representational techniques with soft blending in the sky and a more textured, brush-heavy approach for the cliff and evergreen foliage.
Creation Period
1962 (as indicated by the artist's inscription)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 16 x 20 inches (standard size); Landscape format within a decorative gilded composition frame.
Subject Description
A coastal scene depicting the Washington State shoreline. The composition features a rugged, sandy-orange cliff crowned with dense evergreen trees (likely Sitka spruce or Douglas-fir). The Pacific Ocean meets a sandy cove in the foreground, with distant hills visible on the horizon under a hazy, overcast sky. The work captures the atmospheric light common to the Northwest coast.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good; the paint layer appears stable with some minor surface grime and aging consistent with a 60-year-old work.
Estimated Market Value
$100 - $300 USD
Auction Estimate
$75 - $150 USD
Provenance History
Unknown; likely purchased from the artist or a local gallery in the Pacific Northwest. The presence of a high-quality, ornate gilded frame suggests it was a valued decorative piece in a private collection.
Art Historical Significance
The work serves as a prime example of mid-20th-century secular landscape painting in America. While the artist is likely a regional or semi-professional figure, the piece reflects the cultural heritage and environmental appreciation of the Washington coast during the early 1960s.
Notable Features
Clearly signed and dated 'Myrtle Marlin 62' in the lower right corner along with the location 'Wash. Coast'; housed in a heavy, Neo-Baroque style gilded frame which adds significant decorative value.
Condition Issues
Possible minor yellowing of varnish; light dust accumulation in the crevices of the ornate frame; minor surface scuffs typical of age.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional surface cleaning to remove dust and acidic deposits; ensure the painting is kept out of direct sunlight to prevent pigment fading; maintain a stable humidity environment.