White Building, 1930, oil on board, 27 x 37 cm. On the back of this board, Martin wrote: "Format: 37 x 27 Zet-Farben, G.W. Malmittel, Grund: Leim & KremserWeiß."
Zet-Farben were high-quality oil paints, not available until after WWI. One of the features of Zet-Farben was that they were consistent from batch to batch. "Malmittel" means "medium,", but I don't know what G.W. is. "Grund" is "ground," but here probably means gesso. He used glue and white lead. White lead paint was much valued for its shine and opacity. Nowadays, artists can use the less toxic titanium white, but many still swear by lead.
I imagine that this is a farmhouse, and the woman is doing some kind of farm chore. If so, this could have been painted at a summer vacation rental in the Baltic. The careless treatment of the sky through the tree branches suggests that it's unfinished.
Zet-Farben were high-quality oil paints, not available until after WWI. One of the features of Zet-Farben was that they were consistent from batch to batch. "Malmittel" means "medium,", but I don't know what G.W. is. "Grund" is "ground," but here probably means gesso. He used glue and white lead. White lead paint was much valued for its shine and opacity. Nowadays, artists can use the less toxic titanium white, but many still swear by lead.
I imagine that this is a farmhouse, and the woman is doing some kind of farm chore. If so, this could have been painted at a summer vacation rental in the Baltic. The careless treatment of the sky through the tree branches suggests that it's unfinished.
Self Portrait in the Style of Cezanne, 1930's, oil on canvas, 41 x 33 cm. There is no signature or title.
This was painted on top of a red underpainting. It was in his atelier, and in the background you can see his painting smock and a curtain hanging in front of the bookshelf. Martin wore a suit and silk shirts even while relaxing.
This was painted on top of a red underpainting. It was in his atelier, and in the background you can see his painting smock and a curtain hanging in front of the bookshelf. Martin wore a suit and silk shirts even while relaxing.
Quarry, July 16, 1937, oil on canvas, 33 x 41 cm.
Le Mont Sainte-Victoire vu de la carrière Bibemus, Paul Cezanne
When I saw this, painted around 1897, I could see where Martin got his palette and why he was interested in painting the quarry above.
When I saw this, painted around 1897, I could see where Martin got his palette and why he was interested in painting the quarry above.
Yellow Sky, oil on canvas, undated, 43 x 44 cm.
For a while I thought this might be of California, because of the heavy colors. Martin didn't do much underpainting, I think, and the palette is kind of strange for the 1930's. However, it looks like the same spot as "Quarry," doesn't it?
For a while I thought this might be of California, because of the heavy colors. Martin didn't do much underpainting, I think, and the palette is kind of strange for the 1930's. However, it looks like the same spot as "Quarry," doesn't it?