Ring around the Rosy 1903

Maurice Prendergast made this painting, Ring around the Rosy, with watercolor. It’s a flurry of brushstrokes, isn’t it? I can imagine Prendergast splashing and dabbing, trying to capture the feeling of a sunny day, a swirling circle of children, the way light filters through leaves. The greens, reds, and blues are so vibrant, the kids are all holding hands, round and round they go! You can almost hear their laughter, you know? Look at how loose and free the painting is. Each stroke is like a little dance of its own. It’s like he's inviting you to join in, to feel the joy and energy of the moment. The paint is applied so thinly that the paper shines through in places, giving it this ethereal quality. What’s so great about these paintings is how they feel like impressions – like the artist is trying to grasp something fleeting. Painters like Prendergast show us that art isn't just about perfect representation but about feeling and movement. It reminds us that there’s always room to play, explore, and find our own voice within the tradition.