Figures at a Park (likely The Park)
Painting and reproduction, paper support • Maurice Brazil Prendergast (American, 1858–1924)
Style & Movement
American Post-Impressionism / The Eight / American Modernism
Medium & Technique
Watercolor or monotype with oil, likely reproduced as a lithograph or high-quality print; employs post-impressionist dappled application and mosaic-like brushstrokes
Creation Period
Original work approximately 1910-1915; current specimen likely mid-20th-century reproduction
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 20 x 24 inches (estimated from visual context), Landscape format
Subject Description
A vibrant park scene featuring figures in Edwardian-era dress and horses. The composition is characterized by a flattened perspective and rhythmic, decorative patterns of color that emphasize leisure and urban social life.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good (visual only); appears to be framed under glass which has preserved the surface colors, though some fading is possible due to light exposure
Estimated Market Value
$100 - $300 (if reproduction) or significantly higher if confirmed as an original watercolor/monotype ($50,000+)
Auction Estimate
$50 - $200 (for a standard framed print/reproduction)
Provenance History
Unknown; visible signature in the lower left corner. Likely a collection item from a private residence or a commercial gallery edition.
Art Historical Significance
Prendergast was a pioneer in American Modernism, bridging the gap between conservative American painting and European Post-Impressionist influences from artists like Cézanne and Seurat. His work is essential to the Ashcan School/The Eight context.
Notable Features
Distinctive mosaic-like 'tessarae' style of color application and the prominent signature 'Prendergast' in the lower left characteristic of his later period.
Condition Issues
Visible glare from glass suggests it is not museum-grade UV-protective glazing; potential for acid-burn from non-archival matting visible at the edge.
Conservation Recommendations
Verify if the work is an original or a print. If original, it requires de-framing for an acidity check, archival mounting, and UV-filtering glass. Keep in a climate-controlled environment away from direct sunlight.