East River, Morning
(1876–1953)
Trained as an artist-reporter, Shinn excelled at being able to capture an entire scene at a glance. Moreover, Shinn was a master of the pastel medium as this drawing of East River, Morning clearly demonstrates. The foreground boats and figures are deftly suggested with a marvelous economy of mark-making, while the expansive sky that occupies half of the picture-plane is rendered with broad sweeping strokes of pastel. Though a relatively early work, this piece nonetheless serves to demonstrate the surety of Shinn’s technique as well as his keen eye for observing modern city life.
Shinn's pastels are some of the best examples of American art at the turn of the twentieth century. As a prominent member of The Eight and wholly original American artist, Shinn masterfully captured modern life. There is no mistaking his work and influence, making him an essential American artist of the early twentieth century and beyond.
