Status: OK Status By: Mary Voss Status Date: 2018-01-29

1920 - 1940

Date: 1920

PaintingPainting of Kalamazoo River FishermanAfrican-Americansboat in riverKalamazoo River

17-1/2 in

21-1/2 in

Frame Size: 21.5" by 17.5"

Good

Rediscovering a Michigan Painter

From "Robert Fort: Rediscovering a Michigan Artist" at the OSH 2020 Robert Harry Fort 1875 – 1954 Untitled (African-American Fishermen on the Kalamazoo) undated | oil on canvas This painting shows three generations of fishermen on the Kalamazoo River. The painting is exceptional for its subject matter: a sympathetic depiction of a family group of African-American men in the early 20th century. We know little about Fort’s choice of subjects or their identities but the painting serves as a document of African-American life in the Saugatuck-Douglas community. Fort uses an interesting technique to create the illusion of depth. Here he uses darker color in the background and a lighter color in the foreground which creates a “glow” around the men. The reflection in the water of the dark boat rivet the viewer’s eye to the three men. A small sailboat in the middle ground, the only light color in the composition, serves to constantly pull the eye back to the men. Purple at the horizon creates a sense of mist common in early morning. Collection: Saugatuck Douglas History Center 2018.04.02 Gift of Darin Leese and Frank Vandervort