“Summer Afternoon,” created by Maurice Prendergast between circa 1914 and circa 1916, is a captivating watercolor on paper piece belonging to the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement. Measuring 42.55 x 58.1 cm, this genre painting evocatively captures the leisurely activities and bucolic charm of a carefree summer day and resides in a private collection.
The artwork is an eclectic and vibrant depiction of a serene landscape by a lakeside. Central to the composition are various figures engaging in leisurely pursuits, surrounded by a menagerie of animals, primarily goats. The color palette is rich and bright, dominated by vivid blues, greens, and warm earth tones, reflecting the lively and joyous atmosphere of a summer afternoon. In the background, a sailboat glides across the lake, adding a sense of calm and tranquility to the scene. Prendergast’s use of watercolor gives the piece a delicate, almost dreamlike quality, blending the figures and landscape into a harmonious tableau that invites viewers to revel in the simplicity and beauty of the natural world.
