Artwork
Mysterious Lake Patterns, Lake Erie (Study for Lake Erie Patterns)
Mysterious Lake Patterns, Lake Erie (Study for Lake Erie Patterns) is a drawing by Clarence Holbrook Carter. It dates from 1930 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Mysterious Lake Patterns, Lake Erie (Study for Lake Erie Patterns) is a drawing by Clarence Holbrook Carter, dated circa 1930, measuring 11 by 14 inches and housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The work depicts an abstract, close-up representation of water, characterized by sharp, swirling dark lines on a pale blue-gray background, evoking the dynamic movement of Lake Erie.
Technique & Style
Executed as a quick study, the drawing features expressive, alive lines that capture the lake's energy, anticipating larger works and showcasing Carter's ability to convey natural vitality through abstract forms.
History & Provenance
Created around 1930 as a preliminary sketch for a larger piece (Lake Erie Patterns), it is now part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.
Context
This study reflects Carter's exploration of natural themes, paralleling contemporaries like Charles Burchfield, who similarly explored expressive renderings of the natural world, such as in his watercolor clouds.
Artist & collection
Artist
Clarence Holbrook Carter, known to friends as "Cartie," was an American artist who worked primarily in oil and watercolor. He is considered one of Cleveland’s most renowned painters.
