Summer Day or Park Scene
Original painting on canvas or panel; however, this specific image appears to be a mechanical reproduction/offset lithograph print based on the surface sheen and edge wear. • Maurice Prendergast (1858–1924)
Style & Movement
American Post-Impressionism / The Eight (Ashcan School affiliate)
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas (originally); technique involves heavy impasto and a mosaic-like application of color similar to pointillism or divisionism.
Creation Period
Circa 1910-1915
Dimensions & Format
Originally approx. 24 x 32 inches; Landscape format.
Subject Description
A leisure scene featuring multiple figures—mostly women and children—in a park or seaside setting. The composition includes animals (dogs and a horse) and is characterized by a flattened perspective and decorative, rhythmic patterns of color and form.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Poor to Fair (Refers to the physical item in the photograph).
Estimated Market Value
$20 - $100 (for the print seen here); Original oils by Prendergast range from $250,000 to over $1,000,000.
Auction Estimate
$10 - $50 (as a decorative reproduction).
Provenance History
The original work would likely have passed through the Kraushaar Galleries or the Prendergast estate; this specific item appears to be a vintage commercial print commonly sold in museum shops or mid-century home decor outlets.
Art Historical Significance
Prendergast was the first American painter to truly embrace the techniques of the French Post-Impressionists. His work is significant for bridging American realism and modernism through festive, tapestry-like urban and seaside leisure scenes.
Notable Features
Features the distinctive 'Prendergast' signature in the lower-left corner; the image exhibits the characteristic 'mosaic' brushwork that defined the artist's mature period.
Condition Issues
Significant edge loss and tearing along the top border; visible cracking and peeling of the paper or laminate surface; surface abrasions and potential sun fading.
Conservation Recommendations
As a reproduction with heavy damage, professional conservation is not financially viable. For display, it should be matted to hide the torn edges and placed behind UV-protective glass.