Beach Scene, North Shore c. 1896 - 1897

Maurice Prendergast made "Beach Scene, North Shore" with watercolor, in his signature impressionistic style, likely at the turn of the 20th century. The painting offers a glimpse into leisure and society during the Gilded Age. The beach is populated by figures, mostly women and children, enjoying a day by the sea. It's easy to imagine them, parasols up, shielding themselves from the sun, as much as reveling in it. Prendergast’s loose brushstrokes give a sense of movement, hinting at the dynamic social interactions, yet there is also a sense of social stratification. The women's attire, the hats and dresses, speak to a certain level of affluence, reflective of the upper-middle-class beachgoers. The figures appear light-skinned, which points to the racial demographics of leisure during this period, emphasizing the exclusivity of these spaces. The painting captures a moment of supposed leisure but hints at the social structures subtly at play. It reminds us that even in moments of recreation, historical and social contexts are always present.