Figures and Animals (A Procession)
Print, potentially a color lithograph or offset lithograph; format: flat paper support • In the manner of Maurice Brazil Prendergast (signature visible in upper left corner)
Style & Movement
American Post-Impressionism / Modernism; influenced by the Nabis and Pointillism
Medium & Technique
Ink on paper, utilizing a mosaic-like technique that mimics post-impressionist brushwork and color blocks
Creation Period
Modernist, possibly a mid-20th-century reproduction of an earlier work from the 1910-1920 period
Dimensions & Format
Estimated 18 x 24 inches; landscape orientation, currently matted and framed
Subject Description
A dense composition of figures, likely women and children, walking through a park or seaside landscape with animals (dogs/horses). The scene is flattened into decorative patches of color and dabs of paint, characteristic of a frieze-like arrangement.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Fair; visible waviness in the paper suggests it may not be mounted flat or has responded to humidity
Estimated Market Value
$50 - $200 (valuation for a vintage reproduction print)
Auction Estimate
$40 - $150
Provenance History
Unknown; visible signature 'Prendergast' indicates it is intended to represent the artist's work, though the appearance suggests a commercial print or reproduction rather than an original oil/watercolor
Art Historical Significance
Maurice Prendergast was a member of 'The Eight' and a pioneer of American Modernism. This composition reflects his interest in tapestries and the decorative quality of public leisure spaces, merging European avant-garde techniques with American subjects.
Notable Features
Prominent vertical signature on the top left margin; distinctive 'tapestry' or mosaic paint application that obscures fine anatomical detail in favor of overall pattern
Condition Issues
Possible light fading due to UV exposure; surface rippling (cockling) of the paper; aged matting which may not be acid-free
Conservation Recommendations
Verify if the piece is an original watercolor/monotype or a print. If retained, use UV-protective glass and acid-free mounting to prevent further deterioration