Boston Harbor 1905

Maurice Prendergast made this watercolor, "Boston Harbor," using paper, water and pigment. Watercolors have a reputation for being quick and easy, but don't be fooled. Prendergast had to be extremely skilled to achieve this effect of spontaneity. Look closely, and you'll see how deftly he handled the way the paint blooms and spreads. The image gives us insight into Prendergast's view of Boston, as he rendered the city's harbor using these simple materials. Boston in this period was a busy center of shipping and trade, so the steam and sailboats represent the city's economic activities. Prendergast's impressionistic brushstrokes capture the liveliness of the harbor. The small scale and intimate nature of the watercolor medium is interesting, as he captured the vastness of the harbor in such a way that invites viewers to connect with the maritime culture of the time. When we consider the materials, making, and context of the artwork, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the artist's creative process and the social and cultural significance embedded within the work.