Late Afternoon, New England 1918

"Late Afternoon, New England" (1918) by Maurice Prendergast depicts a vibrant scene of leisure at a seaside. The composition features a group of figures, likely women and children, gathered on a grassy shore, with the shimmering expanse of the water and sailboats in the distance. Prendergast, known for his decorative style, uses bold colors and a loose brushwork to create a sense of movement and energy. The figures are rendered in a simplified, almost abstract manner, with their forms dissolving into a sea of color. This approach, influenced by Post-Impressionism and Fauvism, highlights the overall feeling of warmth and light, conveying the tranquil atmosphere of a late afternoon by the New England coast.