Float at Low Tide, Revere Beach (also known as People at the Beach) 1897

Maurice Prendergast painted Float at Low Tide, Revere Beach with watercolor and graphite on paper. Observe the array of figures, mostly women and children, enjoying the seaside. The parasol, a recurring motif, provides shade and privacy, reminiscent of classical antiquity where it symbolized power and prestige. Think about how these sunshades appear in Japanese prints, where they often denote leisure, or in Renaissance paintings as emblems of nobility. Here, on Revere Beach, the parasol takes on a new form. It is a personal haven amidst the crowd, and the colorful array of parasols held by women on the beach speaks to the democratization of leisure. These fleeting moments, reflected in the water below, mirror our own memories, constantly shifting yet eternally present. This is a subtle yet powerful reminder of how symbols evolve, carrying echoes of the past while adapting to the present.