May Day, Central Park 1903

Maurice Prendergast made this watercolor painting of May Day in Central Park with what looks like a playful, almost pointillist approach. He is dabbing the paper with pigment. There’s a real sense of movement here, you can see how the watery marks bleed into each other, creating a kind of shimmering effect. The colors are so fresh and light, it feels like springtime. I like the way Prendergast suggests the figures without getting too detailed. They're more like color notes, little daubs of paint that evoke the hustle and bustle of a crowd. Look at the trees! They're not solid forms but broken up with light and air, giving the whole scene a feeling of vibrancy. Prendergast really captures the joy and energy of a May Day celebration. It reminds me of Bonnard or Vuillard, those late 19th-century painters who knew how to bottle a moment, but with a distinct sense of American optimism. What a party!