In Central Park, New York 1901

Maurice Prendergast made this watercolor of Central Park in New York using a loose, almost pointillist touch. It’s all about capturing a vibe, a moment, rather than getting bogged down in details. What I love about this piece is how Prendergast uses the watery nature of watercolor to suggest the fleeting quality of light and movement. The paint is thin and transparent, allowing the paper to shine through and create a sense of luminosity. Look at the way he dabs and flicks the brush to create the foliage, the figures, even the fountain. It’s like he’s building up the image from a collection of tiny, shimmering particles. It reminds me of the way Bonnard would build a painting from a haze of colors. The red dog and the children in their vibrant costumes really pop against the muted greens and browns of the park. It’s this contrast that gives the painting its energy and makes it feel so alive. I am reminded of the Impressionists, but with a more personal, quirky twist.