Through the Harrowed Land: Alfred Maurer and Modernism - JC Gallery - Review
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Around the corner, still in Mayfair, sat the JC Gallery. I
initially passed by, but doubled back and entered. Currently on show, ‘Through
the harrowed Land: Alfred Maurer and Modernism’. Taken by the bold, beautiful
and pastoral landscape the gallery had decided to use, scaled up, as a banner,
I entered. I was a touch soured by my previous gallery visit. However, the
gallerist immediately greeted me, struck up polite conversation, and handed me
a professionally bound copy of the exhibition materials.
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The gallerist in question was James Ward, Director of JC Gallery.
While he busied about his own tasks – which included making himself a cup of
tea – he made it clear that he was there if I had any questions. He even, after
asking how long I was to be in London for, suggested some other recent openings
and current exhibitions I should visit.
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JC Gallery specialises in American modernism between
1900-1950. Alfred Maurer, one such American Modernist, had spent a significant chapter
of his life in Paris. This exhibition showcased seven paintings from that time.
The small number of artworks on display were perhaps a boon as the exhibition
itself was a focused insight into a crucial bridge between french Fauvists and
American Modernists. In fact, the works on display could be mistaken for a Matisse
or a Derain.
Interestingly, the gallery introduced the idea that Maurer –
as an American – brought an outsider perspective to the landscape of early 20th
century Europe. An emotional reaction to a landscape and culture divergent from
his own. This is perhaps cheekily shown in the inclusion of a still life of
croissants. A decidedly touristy look, achieved in the styles and conventions
of the artists Maurer was in contact with at the time.
Each of the artworks was individually excellent. I have
always been a fan of the modernist artists, those satellites of Gertrude Stein
et. al. The use of colour to evoke landscape, or shadow, or a slight turn of
the head always impresses me. The heavy slices of oil paint. The green tinge
baked into depictions of skin, or peach tones in the fields and plants of his
landscapes.
I have never come across Maurer before. Again, I confess I
have never studied art history. However, this exhibition was an excellent
introduction. Achieving reknown posthumously, Maurer sits uncomfortably outside
of both European and American canon – these works best understood as a revocation
of acceptability and an embrace of modernism and fauvism.
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The works were hung independent of one another, and of their
respective labels. The gallery had chosen a calm deep shade of blue as a
backdrop, with white text positioned above the paintings, out of immediate eye
line. This achieved the effect of allowing the visitor to consider the artworks
prior to encountering their names or dates. Once the exhibition had established
the framework of artworks from Maurer’s time in France, any further details of
provenance were somewhat arbitrary and rightfully left as footnotes.
My time in the commercial galleries of Mayfair has been
peculiar. I am used to non-profit exhibition space, whether that be in a
museum, or a contemporary arts space. To see artworks such as these with the knowledge
that they are intended to be bought and sold is a funny feeling. It makes
catching an interesting work, that is not held by the public, in a collection
or a gallery, all the more special. To me, I find it a shame that some artworks
may be rarely seen by the public. Also fascinating is how spaces like these shape
and control trends, both in aesthetics and in the art markets. The artists that
JC Gallery opts to show will influence London’s appreciation and understanding
of American Modernism, which will have a knock on effect on any museum wishing
to create a popular exhibition. The currents of the art world still remain a mystery
to me, yet visiting sites such as these allows one to start to see the bigger
picture, the ebbs and flows of taste.
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This exhibition was a delightful, condensed, and considered
experience. The small selection of artworks allowed a deeper investigation into
a crucial time for an interesting and talented painter, who was unfortunate to
never receive the recognition he deserved in life.
‘Through the Harrowed land: Alfred Maurer and Modernism’,
was on display at JC Gallery between March 6 – May 30 and was free to enter.
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
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