Madawaska—Acadian Light-Heavy depicts an unidentified boxer from the small town of Madawaska, Maine. Hartley used a bold and direct style to emphasize the vitality of his American subject. The solid, muscular build of the young man signals the rugged nature of rural life. The intense play of light and shadow on the shirtless figure creates a heightened sensual effect, conveying Hartley’s fascination with—and private desire for—masculine beauty. Alfred Stieglitz presented Marsden Hartley’s first solo exhibition in 1909. This support helped Hartley launch a prolific career, in which he continually experimented with new styles.