Figures and Animals (The Picnic)
Painting on paper or panel • Maurice Brazil Prendergast (1858–1924)
Style & Movement
American Post-Impressionism / The Eight (Ashcan School affiliate)
Medium & Technique
Watercolor, gouache, and oil on paper-board. The technique employs heavy dabs of pigment and broken brushwork resembling a mosaic or tapestry effect, typical of the artist's late period.
Creation Period
Circa 1910-1915
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12 x 15 inches; Landscape format.
Subject Description
Compositional study of figures in a park or coastal setting accompanied by dogs and horses. The work emphasizes leisure, using simplified, rhythmic human forms that blend into a decorative, flattened landscape. The iconography focuses on the joy of modern life and communal recreation.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good. The work shows signs of aging consistent with early 20th-century pigments on paper.
Estimated Market Value
$150,000 - $350,000 USD (subject to authentication)
Auction Estimate
$100,000 - $200,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely passed through the estate of the artist or his brother, Charles Prendergast; would typically include a reputable gallery label such as Kraushaar Galleries or Newhouse Galleries.
Art Historical Significance
Prendergast was a pioneer in bringing European modernism (specifically the influences of Cézanne and the Nabis) to America. This piece reflects his transition from pure Impressionism to a more abstract, color-block aesthetic which influenced the development of American modern art after the 1913 Armory Show.
Notable Features
Distinctive lower-left signature 'Prendergast.' features the artist's characteristic block-letter style. The 'mosaic' application of blue and pink tones is a signature trait of his mature oeuvre.
Condition Issues
Possible surface craquelure due to thick gouache application; minor fading of light-sensitive pigments; evidence of paper acidity or yellowing around the edges.
Conservation Recommendations
Mounting with acid-free museum board and UV-protective glass is essential. Environmental controls should maintain a stable 50% humidity to prevent pigment flaking.