Martin Mower (Lynn, Massachusetts, 1870 - 1960, Vancouver)
The Fountain, 1918
Watercolor on paper, 25 x 36 cm (9 13/16 x 14 3/16 in.)
This watercolor painting depicts the figure of a woman in a light-colored dress, who sits in front of a pool and fountain. Bright colors and varying sizes of brushstrokes create the scene, suggesting the outline of the woman, garden, and pond but in obscured detail. The artist uses varying hues of blues and greens to create dimension in the plants and bushes. The woman is sitting down on a white bench. She holds a red umbrella or parasol above her shoulder and appears to be reading a book. The pool in front of her reflects her and the surrounding flora.
Macknight Room
Commentary
In the summer of 1918 at the age of 78, Isabella rented a cottage named Wrong Roof from her friend Caroline Sinkler in Gloucester, Massachusetts. This picture, painted by her friend Martin Mower, shows Isabella reading a book in the garden. She suffered a stroke a year later and fondly recalled this time as her last vacation.