The artwork, titled “Figures and Donkeys (also known as Fantasy with Horse),” was created by Maurice Prendergast during the years circa 1913 to circa 1915. This watercolor on paper belongs to the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement and is a genre painting. It measures 36.83 x 44.45 cm and resides in a private collection.
The artwork illustrates a whimsical and colorful scene, characteristic of Prendergast’s style, with an idyllic setting. Central to the piece are human figures and animals interspersed within a vibrant landscape, featuring lush trees, an elaborate house, and a serene, meandering path. The prominent red rooftops and blue architectural elements add to the visual dynamism of the scene. The playful arrangement and the lively palette effectively evoke a sense of fantasy and simplicity, reflective of the Naïve Art movement’s embrace of folk-like charm and straightforwardness.
