The Shore 1915

Maurice Prendergast made this painting, The Shore, with oils at some point in his life. The colors here are like a memory of a sunny day, aren't they? Sort of dreamy yellows and browns and these little dabs of color that make up the figures. Look how the paint almost sits on the surface, like a crust, but in a good way. The texture is really important; it’s not about hiding the process but letting it be part of the story. See how the horses are just suggestions, a few quick strokes, yet they really convey a sense of movement and elegance. I think the way he leaves so much open to interpretation, it’s almost like he’s inviting us to finish the painting in our minds. Like Bonnard, Prendergast wasn't afraid to let a painting remain ambiguous, and maybe that's where its beauty lies.