“Picnic by the Inlet” is an oil on canvas artwork created by Maurice Prendergast circa 1918 to 1923. Belonging to the Post-Impressionism art movement, this genre painting measures 71.76 by 62.55 cm.
The artwork captures a serene and vibrant scene set in a lush, green landscape, where a group of people, predominantly women, are depicted enjoying a leisurely picnic under the shade of trees by an inlet. The composition is filled with bright, expressive colors and visible brushstrokes, characteristic of the Post-Impressionist movement. The figures are portrayed in various poses, engaging in different activities, which together convey a sense of dynamic harmony and communal leisure. The foliage is rendered with a dappled, almost pointillist technique, adding depth and a sense of movement to the surrounding nature. Maurice Prendergast’s style, marked by the use of vivid color and pattern, is evident in the playful and textured depiction of both figures and the natural setting.
