Summer Day or Figures in a Landscape
Painting on canvas or board • Maurice Prendergast (American, 1858–1924)
Style & Movement
American Modernism / Post-Impressionism (specifically related to 'The Eight' or the Ashcan School, though more stylistically aligned with European Nabis)
Medium & Technique
Oil and/or tempera on canvas, likely utilizing a 'mosaic' or 'tapestry' technique with thick, broken brushwork and heavy impasto
Creation Period
Circa 1910–1915
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 18 x 24 inches; Landscape format
Subject Description
A festive outdoor scene of women and children in leisure activities by the seaside. The composition features rhythmic positioning of figures across a flat plane, a white horse, and stylized foliage, reflecting a modern Arcadian theme of idyllic upper-class recreation.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good (based on visual inspection of a photograph); requires high-resolution examination for surface integrity
Estimated Market Value
$600,000 - $1,200,000 USD (Realized value depends heavily on size and pedigree)
Auction Estimate
$500,000 - $800,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely passed through the Charles Prendergast estate or Kraushaar Galleries (New York), which handled much of the artist's legacy
Art Historical Significance
Prendergast was the first American artist to fully grasp and adapt the color theories of Cézanne and the composition of the Nabis. This work represents his mature style where form is secondary to the decorative, rhythmic pattern-making that influenced early 20th-century American modernism.
Notable Features
Prominent 'Prendergast' signature in bottom left; distinctive 'tesserae' brushstrokes that create a mosaic-like effect; characteristic white horse motif often used by the artist to anchor his compositions.
Condition Issues
Visible surface cracking (craquelure) consistent with age and thick impasto. Potential yellowing of varnish and possible frame-rubbing along the edges.
Conservation Recommendations
Non-invasive surface cleaning by a qualified conservator; UV-protective museum glass for framing; climate-controlled environment (50% RH) to prevent further cracking of the paint layer.