hartley5 Marsden Hartley (1877-1943)

The composition presents a still life arranged within a highly stylized and decorative framework. A dark blue cup filled with a light-colored liquid – likely coffee or tea – occupies the foreground, resting on a small, similarly colored saucer. The arrangement is centered against an elaborate backdrop of geometric forms and symbolic motifs.
The background is dominated by a large, arched structure rendered in yellow, flanked by vertical columns painted white and adorned with floral designs reminiscent of architectural ornamentation. Above this arch, a pattern of alternating red and white stripes creates a sense of upward movement, culminating in what appears to be stylized flames or decorative flourishes in blue. A circular form sits atop the central arch, positioned directly above the cup, suggesting a focal point or perhaps an idealized representation of something beyond the immediate scene.
The floor is depicted as a checkerboard pattern of red and white squares, which contributes to the overall sense of order and formality. The artist’s signature, partially visible in the lower left corner, appears integrated into this patterned surface.
Subtly, the painting seems to explore themes of domesticity and ritual. The presence of the cup suggests a moment of quiet contemplation or routine. However, the highly stylized rendering and the elaborate background elevate the commonplace object to something more symbolic. The geometric forms and decorative motifs suggest an interest in abstraction and formal experimentation, while the overall composition evokes a sense of controlled elegance and perhaps even a touch of playful irony. The arrangement feels less like a straightforward depiction of reality and more like a constructed visual statement about order, beauty, and the significance of everyday objects within a carefully designed environment.