Reginald Marsh was an American painter born in Paris, France in 1898. As a child, his family moved to New York City where he would later study art at The New York School of Art. In 1932, he created the painting “Hudson Bay Fur Company” which portrays a woman wearing furs in a store window.
The painting is a classic example of Marsh’s realist style and it exemplifies his admiration for the everyday figures of New York City life. Its bright colors and bold strokes capture the hustle and bustle of city life while also satirizing the indulgence of luxury goods during the Great Depression. The woman depicted in the painting appears to be both regal and elegant, yet immature as indicated by her frilly hat, supposedly from Hudson’s Bay Fur Company.
Marsh’s painting is currently collected by The Columbus Museum of Art, adding to its rich public collection of American artworks. With its realistic approach to depicting everyday figures in all their glory, “Hudson Bay Fur Company” remains one of Marsh’s most recognized works and an inspirational testament to his artistic talent. As such, this artwork contributes significantly to our appreciation of realism painting and its effect on early 20th century America.
