East River Park 1901

Maurice Prendergast made this watercolour of East River Park with a loaded brush and what looks like a playful attitude. The painting has emerged through many light washes, a sea of greys and greens interspersed with the bright hats and dresses of the figures. I imagine Prendergast enjoyed the process of building up the image, one mark at a time. You can see how the brushstrokes create a kind of rhythm, like a dance across the surface. The paint is thin, allowing the white of the paper to shine through, adding to the airy, impressionistic feel. I like the way he has used small dabs of colour to suggest the movement of people and water. It's a far cry from photorealism, more like an emotional impression. Prendergast was part of a group called The Eight, who wanted to paint everyday life. He seems to share some sensibilities with painters like Bonnard. The conversation across time! It's about capturing the feeling of a place, rather than just a literal depiction. And that's what makes this painting so special.