America / 1901
May Day, Central Park
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs May Day, Central Park as drawing (America · 1901).
Maurice Prendergast studied in Paris and was influenced by the French Impressionists and their focus on modern urban life.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this drawing as watercolor over graphite and credits Maurice Prendergast (American, born Newfoundland [now Canada], 1858–1924).
The museum's collection notes: Maurice Prendergast worked primarily in watercolor, and Central Park—seen in this drawing— was one of his favorite subjects. He regularly visited the popular public area in New York City during the early 1900s, while he was living in Boston. Prendergast's depictions of Central Park often focus on festivities and celebrations, continuing a theme he had explored in other cities, such as Paris and Venice. Here, the artist depicted children celebrating May Day by dancing with colorful ribbons around a Maypole on a sunny day. He worked with rapid, loose marks, leaving portions of the paper visible to create highlights throughout. Prendergast was d
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtMay Day, Central ParkOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.