Fishermen on the Kalamazoo by Robert Harry Fort
Painting
Oil on canvas painting of two African American men and a young boy fishing in a boat on the Kalamazoo River. The painting measures 21.5" by 17.5" with a gold painted wood frame 2" wide. Signed by Robert Fort. Based on men's clothing such as square cropped tie and hats, painting may date from 1920s.
2018.04.02
Collecting the Art Coast
Easel
Oil
Artworks
Sports: fishing
2018.04
Leese, Darin & Frank Vandervort
Donation
Fort, Robert "Harry" 1875-1954
1920 - 1940
Date: 1920
Painting
Painting of Kalamazoo River Fisherman
African-Americans
boat in river
Kalamazoo River
17-1/2 in
21-1/2 in
Frame Size: 21.5" by 17.5"
AC bay 14
Art Conservation Room
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
Status: OK Status By: Mary Voss Status Date: 2018-01-29