Salem 1915

Maurice Prendergast made this small watercolor titled Salem with short strokes and dabs of pure color that feel so fresh. Just look at that palette—blues, greens, pinks, yellows, and purples—all laid down with the confidence of someone who knows exactly what they want to achieve. I imagine Prendergast working quickly, trying to capture the fleeting light and atmosphere of the scene. It's like he's saying: "I'm going to make this day immortal!" The figures, especially, are suggested with an economy of means. A few strokes here and there, and suddenly there's a whole crowd of people enjoying a day by the sea. It reminds me of the pointillist paintings by Seurat, but with a kind of joyful, childlike freedom that’s all Prendergast’s own. Artists are always in dialogue with one another, riffing off each other’s ideas, and pushing the boundaries of what painting can do. Prendergast shows us that painting isn't about perfection or realism, but about capturing a feeling, an atmosphere, a moment in time. It’s a conversation, not a lecture.