Artwork
Landscape with Figures
Landscape with Figures is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Maurice Prendergast. It dates from 1921 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:on the reverse: Maurice B. Prendergast / 1921[1]
About this work
Technique & Style
The work is executed in oil on canvas, measuring 82.6 cm in height and 108 cm in width. The handling is consistent with Prendergast's late style, employing fluid, decorative brushwork to render a stylized landscape populated by small, silhouetted figures. Compositionally, the scene balances flat, patterned areas of color with rhythmic figural groupings, creating a synthesis of Post-Impressionist structure and decorative clarity.
History & Provenance
, as part of the Corcoran's holdings following the gallery's closure and integration into the National Gallery.
Landscape with Figures was completed by Maurice Prendergast in 1921 and acquired directly from the artist on 15 December 1923 by the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington. In 2014 the painting was transferred to the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., as part of the Corcoran's holdings following the gallery's closure and integration into the National Gallery. No specific exhibition history is recorded in the available sources.
Overview
Maurice Prendergast, an American painter born in Newfoundland, completed Landscape with Figures in 1921. This oil on canvas work exemplifies his distinctive approach to depicting scenes of modern life and natural settings. The painting features a group of individuals within a vibrant outdoor environment, rendered with the artist's characteristic use of color and composition, often linked to Post-Impressionist aesthetics.
Subject & Meaning
The artwork portrays a gathering of people enjoying a park-like setting, surrounded by trees. Figures are depicted in bright, varied attire, with some holding parasols, suggesting a leisurely outdoor activity. A white dog also appears among the group, adding to the scene's dynamic and animated quality.
The overall impression is one of a lively public space, captured with a sense of movement and visual richness.
Context
Though Maurice Prendergast was associated with The Eight, a collective of early twentieth-century American artists, his artistic vision diverged significantly from the urban realism favored by his Ashcan School peers. He cultivated a unique style, focusing on delicate landscapes and lively portrayals of contemporary social scenes. His distinctive use of color and form established him as a singular voice within American modernism.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Maurice Brazil Prendergast (October 10, 1858 – February 1, 1924) was a Newfoundlander-American artist who painted in oil and watercolor, and created monotypes.
