“Mariner’s Incantation” is a symbolic painting created by Adolph Gottlieb in 1945. It utilizes the mediums of gouache and oil on canvas and is associated with Naive Art, also known as Primitivism. The artwork is infused with symbolism and reflects a simplicity that is characteristic of the art movement.
As for the artwork itself, it features a grid-like composition divided into multiple sections, each containing different symbols and figures. The color palette seems earthy and subdued with hints of blue and green which could be reminiscent of the sea, which is fitting given the title “Mariner’s Incantation”. The imagery includes simplified, abstracted shapes and forms. There are elements that may resemble faces, animals, and objects, all stylized in a straightforward manner that aligns with the Naive Art movement’s tendency to eschew complex traditional techniques in favor of a more direct and untrained aesthetic. Each symbol seems to carry its own weight, suggesting a story or a piece of folklore that could be associated with maritime culture. The overall effect is one of a mystical or magical quality, as if each image holds a special meaning or power, which aligns with the idea of an “incantation.”