The Lido, Venice 1899

Maurice Prendergast created this watercolor painting of The Lido in Venice probably around the turn of the 20th century. Prendergast, an American, was deeply influenced by his travels in Europe, especially his encounters with Post-Impressionism and the avant-garde. Here, Prendergast gives us a glimpse into the leisure of the upper classes, their attire and parasols shielding them from the sun, the men in dark suits and the women in long white dresses. The setting itself, the Lido, was and remains a glamorous beach resort in Venice. The indistinct dabs of watercolor create a feeling of transient experience, an almost dreamlike vision of a culture of privilege. Yet, looking closer, one wonders about the gaze of the artist. Is this simply an admiring portrait, or is there a subtle critique embedded in its depiction of leisure and wealth? As we contemplate this question, we begin to consider the emotional weight carried by these figures, their place within the shifting sands of history.