Family Picnic

Artist Maurice Brazil Prendergast (1858 - 1924)

Datec.1915-16

MediumWatercolor, pastel and pencil on paper

Dimensions10 x 13 1/2 in.

ClassificationsWatercolor

Credit LineGift of Mrs. Charles Prendergast

Object number1991.07

DescriptionConsistent with Prendergast's style at the time, "Family Picnic" depicts a jovial scene of a family on a picnic in a loose style. Each figure is made up of individual strokes that are rhythmically composed. The forms are clearly discernable but are abstracted to the point that each figure is defined by the colors of their clothing contrasted to the surrounding scene. Prendergast painted lightly and left whitespace on the canvas to serve as highlights. These two techniques combined allow the under-drawings to peek through. In order to create darker values, Prendergast would simply layer the paint, creating more opaque tones to represent folds in clothing or shadows from the sun.

On View

Not on view