Explore the Background about the Description of this artwork.
Born in Lewiston, Maine, Hartley left his home state in the early 20th century to start his career as an artist. After some successes and failures, he returned to his native Maine in 1937, and quickly established himself as one of the foremost painters in and of the state. Having lived in cities for much of his life, he was comforted by the relative isolation that his residence in Maine provided him; this respect came to be represented in much of his work, many of which depict Maine's rugged landscapes and people.Marsden's return to Maine coincided with the rise of the Folk Art movement. Marsden developed a self-consciously "primitive" style of painting that is present in his Maine paintings, including Lobster Fishermen.
Maine Folk Art movement Lewiston, Maine