Under the Trees (or similar Park Scene)
Painting on canvas or board • Maurice Brazil Prendergast (or a very close stylistic follower/circle of)
Style & Movement
American Post-Impressionist / Modernism; associated with 'The Eight' (though his style remained distinctively decorative)
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas, potentially watercolor/monotype on paper. Technique involves mosaic-like brushwork, short rhythmic strokes, and flat application of color consistent with Post-Impressionist 'stippling' or 'mosaic' effects.
Creation Period
Circa 1910–1920
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 20 x 14 inches (based on visual scale and common sizes for this artist); Vertical Portrait Format.
Subject Description
A dense, vertically oriented composition featuring a leisure scene of figures (mostly women and children) and animals (horses or dogs) in an outdoor park setting. The figures are rendered with little facial detail, focusing on silhouette and rhythmic placement within a flattened landscape landscape.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good (Pending closer physical inspection). The image appears slightly muted, which could indicate surface dirt or a yellowed varnish representative of its age.
Estimated Market Value
If authentic: $150,000 – $450,000 (depending on medium and provenance). If a high-quality period study or later copy: $2,000 – $10,000.
Auction Estimate
Estimated auction range: $200,000 – $400,000 (for an original oil of this complexity).
Provenance History
The signature 'Prendergast' is visible on the upper left margin (vertically aligned). Likely passed through American gallery or private collection; artist was represented by Macbeth Galleries and Kraushaar Galleries in NY.
Art Historical Significance
Prendergast was a pioneer of American Modernism, bridging the gap between American Impressionism and the more radical European abstraction. This piece represents his mature 'tapestry' style where the subject matter serves as a vehicle for color and pattern.
Notable Features
Distinctive vertical signature on the left edge; the high horizon line and lack of traditional perspective create a decorative 'millefleur' tapestry effect unique to Prendergast's late period.
Condition Issues
Possible surface craquelure consistent with 100-year-old oil paint; potential yellowing of varnish; minor frame abrasions on the edges.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional cleaning by an AIC-certified conservator to remove oxidized varnish; archival framing with UV-protective glass; placement in a climate-controlled environment away from direct sunlight.