Along the Shore 1915

Maurice Prendergast made "Along the Shore," using oil on canvas with these fabulously visible brushstrokes. The painting's surface is alive with texture. Every dab and stroke feels deliberate, like each mark is a building block in this bustling scene. Look at the way he renders the figures; they're almost like mosaics, each one made up of countless little touches of color. The paint isn't trying to hide itself; it's right there on the surface. See the lower left of the painting, the brushstrokes are chunky, almost sculptural, creating a sense of depth and weight. There's something about Prendergast's approach to painting that reminds me of Pierre Bonnard, in the way they both capture these fleeting, shimmering moments of everyday life. Both artists embrace ambiguity and invite us to see the world through a fresh, vibrant lens.