On the Beach
Painting on panel or board (presumed based on verso inscription format) • Maurice Brazil Prendergast (American, 1858–1924)
Style & Movement
Post-Impressionism / American Modernism
Medium & Technique
Presumed oil or watercolor on board, typically using mosaic-like brushwork or dappled application which is characteristic of the artist's style.
Creation Period
1916 (as noted by the inscription)
Dimensions & Format
Small format landscape, typically between 10x14 to 15x20 inches for this theme.
Subject Description
Beach scene depicting leisure figures, likely in a park or coastal setting. The subject is highly representative of Prendergast’s interest in crowds and public recreation.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Poor (Preliminary). The image shows the reverse of a support with modern, block-letter handwriting that does not conform to the artist's known period signature style.
Estimated Market Value
$50 - $200 (Decorative/Copy value)
Auction Estimate
$20 - $100
Provenance History
Unknown. The inscription on the back is written in a modern black marker/pen, which is highly atypical for a 1916 original. It suggests a later identification or a decorative reproduction.
Art Historical Significance
Maurice Prendergast was a leading figure in the American Post-Impressionist movement and a member of 'The Eight.' However, this specific item displays signs of being a modern reproduction or a student copy rather than a period original.
Notable Features
The most notable feature is the handwriting on the back. It is written in 'all caps' block lettering, which is often characteristic of warehouse labeling or amateur identification rather than an artist's signature or a gallery's archival registration.
Condition Issues
The inscription on the reverse appears to be in a contemporary felt-tip marker or modern ballpoint, which is inconsistent with a work from the early 20th century. There are visible stains and a lack of appropriate aging (patina) on the support board.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional authentication (Catalogue Raisonné check) is recommended to rule out a known copy. Keep in a dry, UV-protected environment.
Collector Notes
Real?