Summer Day (or similar title from the idyll series)
Painting on paper or board, likely a monotype or watercolor with oil pastel • Maurice Brazil Prendergast (American, 1858–1924)
Style & Movement
American Modernism / Post-Impressionism (specifically 'The Eight' or Ashcan School in a decorative context)
Medium & Technique
Monotype, watercolor, and oil pastel using a patchwork or 'mosaic' application of color patches and heavy impasto-like texture
Creation Period
Circa 1910-1915
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12 x 18 inches, horizontal landscape format
Subject Description
A festive, idyllic park or seaside scene featuring figures (largely women and children) in a frieze-like composition. Includes animals such as a horse and dogs, with a background of water and trees, emphasizing decorative flatness over realistic depth.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair. The work shows significant edge damage and paper loss.
Estimated Market Value
$150,000 - $350,000 (depending on medium and provenance)
Auction Estimate
$100,000 - $250,000 (adjusted for condition issues)
Provenance History
Signature 'Prendergast' is visible in the lower left. Likely passed through American private collectors or estates associated with Boston or New York modern art circles.
Art Historical Significance
Prendergast was the first American painter to truly grasp Post-Impressionist color and pattern. This piece is a classic example of his late style, which influenced the development of modernism in the United States.
Notable Features
Signature in lower left corner; distinctive 'tapestry' style of paint application characteristic of his later experiments with monotypes and oil.
Condition Issues
Notable paper loss and tearing along the upper and lower deckled edges; visible surface abrasions and potential fading of sensitive pigments.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional stabilization by a paper conservator, archival mounting, and UV-protective glazing to prevent further pigment degradation and physical loss.