The artwork, titled “Franklin Park, Boston,” was created by the artist Maurice Prendergast around 1896 to 1897. Executed in watercolor on paper, this piece is associated with the Impressionism art movement. Measuring 32.39 x 49.53 cm and classified as a landscape genre, the artwork is part of a private collection.
The artwork depicts a bustling scene in Franklin Park, Boston. A vibrant composition unfolds, displaying numerous people engaging in leisurely activities. The figures, adorned in period attire, populate the foreground and middle ground, many holding colorful parasols that add splashes of bright hues against the lush, green landscape. A large building, presumably a park pavilion or gathering spot, forms the backdrop, marked by the presence of American flags fluttering atop its structure, enhancing the sense of a communal, festive atmosphere. Prendergast’s application of watercolor is deft and fluid, lending the scene a lively, impressionistic feel that celebrates both the social nature of the park and the artist’s keen observational skills.
