The artwork titled “The East River” by Maurice Prendergast, created around 1901, is a watercolor on paper piece belonging to the Post-Impressionism art movement. The genre painting measures approximately 35.24 x 50.8 cm and is currently housed at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City, NY, US.
The artwork depicts a vibrant scene along the East River, filled with the hustle and bustle of daily life. Children are seen playing energetically on swings, adults are engaged in leisure activities, and the river is animated with various boats and ships, which gives a sense of industrial vigor. The lively, colorful depiction captures the essence of communal recreational life juxtaposed against the industrious river, emitting smoke as an indication of active commerce. The composition’s rich palette and dynamic forms are hallmarks of Prendergast’s work and the Post-Impressionism movement.
