The Marsden Hartley Legacy Project has officially launched its online platform, in collaboration with the Bates College Museum of Art. This innovative initiative showcases a comprehensive catalogue of over 1,600 artworks, including paintings, drawings, pastels, and prints by the esteemed American modernist Marsden Hartley (1877-1943).
This digital collection features not only high-quality reproductions of Hartley's works but also detailed attributions, provenance information, exhibition histories, and bibliographies. The project documents over 2,200 exhibitions and 2,100 publications related to Hartley, aiming to enhance scholarship and appreciation of his significant contributions to modern art. The website will be regularly updated as new findings emerge.
Initiated in 2019 by independent art historian Gail R. Scott, the project has been a collaboration with the Bates College Museum of Art, which is located in Hartley's hometown of Lewiston, Maine. Scott, a recognized authority on Hartley, has curated numerous exhibitions and authored several significant publications about the artist, including a monograph and volumes of his poetry and essays. "Gail is the leading authority on all things Hartley," states Carrie Cushman, director of the Bates College Museum of Art, emphasizing the importance of hosting this project at a venue so closely tied to the artist's legacy.
Scott reflects on Hartley's aspirations during the final years of his life, noting his desire for public recognition of his artistic and literary contributions. "The Marsden Hartley Legacy Project is a 21st-century blossoming of that ambition," she explains, highlighting the project's role as a valuable resource for both scholars and art enthusiasts.
The user-friendly website features an intuitive layout with filters designed to cater to a diverse audience. Additional resources include a biography of Hartley, an extensive chronology, a list of his personal library, commentaries on various works, and insightful essays by esteemed art historians. This makes the project a central hub for studying and appreciating Hartley's art.
Generous support from the Mr. and Mrs. Raymond J. Horowitz Foundation for the Arts, the Vilcek Foundation, the Wyeth Foundation for American Art, and several private donors has made this important resource freely accessible to the public.
As the Marsden Hartley Legacy Project continues to evolve, it promises to enrich the understanding and appreciation of Hartley's work, paving the way for future generations to explore the depth of his artistic legacy.
