The artwork “Playing at Salem, Massachusetts,” created by the artist Maurice Prendergast, is a genre painting associated with the Post-Impressionism movement. The dimensions of the artwork are 32.39 by 40.01 cm, and it currently resides in a private collection.
In the artwork, a lively seaside scene is depicted, characterized by vibrant blue and pastel hues. The composition features numerous figures engaged in leisurely activities along a beach, some sitting and conversing while others stand or walk. The scene also includes a donkey being ridden and small sailboats floating on the water in the background. The figures, beach, and water are rendered in a stylized manner with an emphasis on broad, expressive brushstrokes and subtle yet vivid coloration typical of Post-Impressionist artwork. The overall ambiance of the piece conveys a sense of leisure and communal enjoyment, highlighting everyday life in a coastal locale.
