Autumn Festival (or Sunset Around a Tree)
Print reproduction (likely a lithograph or offset print) on paper • Maurice Brazil Prendergast (after)
Style & Movement
American Post-Impressionism / Modernism (The Eight / Ashcan School circle)
Medium & Technique
Original likely oil on canvas or watercolor; this specific item appears to be a mechanical reproduction imitating a mosaic-like technique with broad, dappled applications of color.
Creation Period
Original work circa 1910-1915; reproduction date mid-to-late 20th century.
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 18 x 24 inches (estimated sight size), Landscape format with a wide pink and brown double mat.
Subject Description
A group of female figures and children in a park-like or seaside setting, featuring a distinctive mosaic-like composition. In the foreground, two dogs are visible interacting, while figures in Edwardian dress congregate near a tree and a white horse. The iconography focuses on leisure, middle-class recreation, and the rhythmic pattern of crowd movement.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good. Visible fading of color pigments, likely due to UV exposure.
Estimated Market Value
$20 - $50
Auction Estimate
$10 - $30
Provenance History
Mass-market decorative print. No unique gallery labels or historical ownership marks visible in the image; likely sold through a department store or print shop in the late 20th century.
Art Historical Significance
Maurice Prendergast was a pioneer of American Modernism and the first American to emulate the styles of Cézanne and the Nabis. While this specific piece is a reproduction, the original exemplifies his transition from watercolor to a more decorative, oil-based 'tapestry' style that influenced modern color theory in the United States.
Notable Features
Features a prominent printed 'Prendergast' signature in the lower left corner characteristic of later mass reproductions of his work.
Condition Issues
Sun-faded palette (prevalence of magenta and cyan with loss of warm yellows); potential acid-burn from the non-archival matting; minor scuffs on the glass surface and frame.
Conservation Recommendations
Keep away from direct sunlight; if significant to the owner, replace the current acidic matting with acid-free museum board and use UV-filtering glass.