John S. Currie: A Mariner's Vision of American Identity John S. Currie (c. 1884 – October 11, 1914) remains a somewhat enigmatic figure in American art history—a painter whose evocative depictions of the coastal landscapes and maritime scenes of New England captured the spirit of his time while simultaneously grappling with profound personal struggles. Born in Staffordshire, England, Currie emigrated to America as a young man, establishing himself in Gloucester, Massachusetts, where he would spend the remainder of his life pursuing his artistic ambitions. His work is characterized by a disti…