Waterclouds 1960

An oil painting entitled "Waterclouds" (Fig. 1), done by Marcelin Cardinal in 1960, is up for auction at Clarke Auction Gallery in Larchmont, NY, USA. I think bidding closes early on September 14, 2025. The painting is 97 x 129.5 cm (38.3 x 51 inches) in frame. SOLD.

Fig. 1

The painting was originally listed as being acrylic on canvas but I know that it is, in fact, oil because the painting was done in 1960 and Marcelin painted his first acrylic in 1971. On the back of the painting, Marcelin has written the name "Waterclouds" and the number 6024 along with his signature (Fig. 2 - photos of "Waterclouds" are from the Clarke Auction Gallery website). The 60 is for the year 1960 and the 24 is for his 24th work in that year.

Fig. 2

A bas relief, "Malvan" (Fig. 3) done by Marcelin in 1968 is numbered 68BR09 (Fig. 4). "Cristan" which was painted using acrylic paint in 1971 is numbered 71AC12. Once Marcelin began painting almost exclusively using acrylic paint, he tended to write only the name of the painting, his name, the year and often "top/haut".

Fig. 3

Fig. 4

A label on the frame of "Waterclouds" indicates a showroom at 1007 Madison Avenue in New York City and the partial name, "Kulic?" (Fig. 5). Also, the label has been peeled back maybe to hide the name of "Mr. Ro....". Marcelin had an exhibition of his work at the Feingarten Galleries located at 1018 Madison Avenue between February 21, to March 11, 1961 (please see Articles and Reviews) and I wonder if "Waterclouds" was part of that exhibition. The timing could work. During that exhibition, Marcelin received a letter from art collector Jean Hoffman dated March 3, 1961 (Fig. 6). The writing at the top of the letter is Marcelin's. The letter is addressed to Marcel because some Americans had trouble saying Marcelin. As the writing is a little difficult in places, I have done my best to transcribe it below.

Fig. 5

Fig. 6

Dear Marcel,

The show is just wonderful. I liked so many of the paintings and I wish I could have one. I have (sic) heard about it and as you know - (I was there a few days after the opening) three were gone already. I believe it particularly fortuitous that they should be showing your paintings while the Rothko show was on at the museum - because yours are so much more beautiful - and as always alive and full of motion and emotion.