The Point, Gloucester 1910

Maurice Prendergast made this oil painting, titled The Point, Gloucester, sometime in his career. The way he's built up the surface with all those dabs of colour is pretty captivating. It’s like he’s mosaicking the whole scene together, bit by bit, which feels like such a process-oriented approach. And that peachy, golden light he’s conjured up, it almost feels edible, doesn’t it? When you look closer, you can see how the texture of the paint is a big part of the story. It’s not about hiding the brushstrokes, it's about letting them do their thing. See that little cluster of strokes down in the bottom right? They almost look like they’re dancing, each one a little different, but all working together. It makes you think about how a painting isn't just a picture of something, it’s also a record of the actions that made it. Prendergast reminds me a bit of Bonnard, but with a more American sensibility. Both artists knew how to make colour sing, but Prendergast’s got this raw energy that’s all his own.