Autumn Festival (or similar park scene)
Painting / Work on Paper • Maurice Brazil Prendergast (1858–1924)
Style & Movement
American Post-Impressionism / The Eight (Ashcan School affiliate)
Medium & Technique
Oil and/or tempera on canvas (or potentially monotype with hand-coloring). Employs a mosaic-like application of paint with short, dappled brushstrokes characteristic of Post-Impressionist 'spotting.'
Creation Period
Circa 1910–1915
Dimensions & Format
Estimated 18 x 24 inches; Landscape format
Subject Description
A leisure scene featuring numerous female figures in festive attire and hats, horses, and dogs in a park-like setting near a body of water. The composition is shallow and frieze-like, focusing on the rhythmic arrangement of color patches rather than deep perspective.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good. The image shows significant glare and possible fading; if a print/reproduction, the condition is stable; if an original, the surface appears to have aged patina consistent with early 20th-century materials.
Estimated Market Value
If an original oil/monotype: $150,000 – $450,000. If a vintage lithograph or reproduction: $50 – $300.
Auction Estimate
Original: $200,000 – $400,000; Reproduction: $20 – $100.
Provenance History
Signature 'Prendergast' visible in lower left. Likely passed through American galleries specializing in Modernism or private collections in the Northeastern United States.
Art Historical Significance
Prendergast was a bridge between American Impressionism and Modernism. His unique tapestry-like style was revolutionary in American art, moving away from realism toward decorative abstraction and color theory.
Notable Features
Distinctive mosaic brushwork; visible signature 'Prendergast' in the lower-left corner; classic subject matter of 'leisure' which was the artist's primary thematic focus.
Condition Issues
Possible craquelure (if oil), potential UV light damage/fading, surface grime, and acidity from non-archival backing if framed long ago. Glare in the photo obscures fine surface analysis.
Conservation Recommendations
Glass should be replaced with UV-protective museum glass. Professional cleaning to remove yellowed varnish (if applicable). Ensure acid-free mounting.