In the Park c. 1915 - 1920

Maurice Prendergast captured this scene en plein air, with watercolors, showing a crowd gathered in the park. Note how the parasols, held aloft, act as individual beacons of color, each a personal shield against the sun. Consider the parasol's journey through art history: from ancient sunshades signifying status, to the delicate accessories seen in Japanese woodblock prints. They appear in Renaissance paintings as emblems of royalty. They transform from sacred objects to symbols of leisurely protection and feminine allure. These parasols are also powerful for the way in which they conceal, creating a sense of privacy within a public space. Like masks, they invite us to project our own interpretations onto the figures beneath. This play of revelation and concealment stirs deep within us, engaging our collective memories of social rituals and personal secrets. The parasols are cyclical, constantly reappearing, each time imbued with new cultural significance.