Developing a distinctive style characterized by intricate, interlacing white lines, Mark Tobey became a significant figure in American art during the twentieth century. His complex compositions, often likened to Asian calligraphy, bridged the aesthetic gap between Western abstraction and Eastern philosophy, reflecting his lifelong commitment to the Baháʼí Faith and his extensive international travels.
Early Development and Influences
Born in Centerville, Wisconsin, in 1890, Tobey moved to Chicago in 1893. He received early training at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago between 1906 and 1908. By 1911, he transitioned to New York City, working as a fashion illustrator for McCall's. This spiritual focus prompted him to study Arabian literature and Eastern philosophical traditions.
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Tobey became an incessant traveler, settling briefly in Paris in 1925 where he met Gertrude Stein. Following his 1921 arrival in Seattle, he founded the art department at The Cornish School. This fascination with line work deepened during a 1934 trip to Japan, where he studied calligraphy and Haiku poetry at a Zen monastery. These experiences culminated in his signature 'white writing' style, first produced in 1935 with paintings like Broadway and Welcome Hero.
Professional Recognition and the Northwest School
As a founder of the Northwest School, alongside artists such as Guy Anderson and Kenneth Callahan, Tobey exerted a substantial influence as a mentor. His work garnered institutional interest early on, with Alfred H. Barr, Jr. selecting his pieces for a 1930 MoMA exhibition. Throughout the 1940s, his reputation grew through successful solo exhibitions at the Willard Gallery and the Portland Art Museum. Despite his association with the Federal Art Project, he remained an independent thinker until his relocation to Basel, Switzerland, in the early 1960s, where he resided until his death in 1976.
Fast facts
- Born: 1890, Centerville, Wisconsin
- Died: 1976, Basel, Switzerland
- Primary Field: Painting
- Movement: Northwest School, Abstract expressionism
- Education: School of the Art Institute of Chicago
- Religious Affiliation: Baháʼí Faith
- Key Association: American Academy of Arts and Letters
- Final Resting Place: Friedhof am Hörnli
Questions readers ask
What is the 'white writing' style associated with Mark Tobey?
It is a technique featuring an interlacing of fine white lines, inspired by his study of Asian calligraphy and his observations of urban life.
Did Mark Tobey belong to any specific art movements?
He is recognized as a founder of the Northwest School and his work is often compared to Abstract expressionism due to its densely structured composition.
Achievements
- Movement: abstract expressionism and Northwest School
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