Flight into Egypt 1915

Maurice Prendergast made this watercolour painting, "Flight into Egypt," probably in the early 20th century, and it's a great example of how process can be front and center. You can almost feel Prendergast dabbing and blotting the watercolor onto the paper, layer upon layer. Look at the ground; it is a sea of orange squiggles. These marks feel immediate and intuitive, like he's responding to the way the pigment moves and settles. The colors are muted and earthy, mostly browns and purples, but there are touches of blue and red to add a bit of spark. The overall effect is one of lightness and airiness. Prendergast's method reminds me of Bonnard, where the painting seems to shimmer with light and color, using a similar method to give a sense of a scene caught in a moment. It’s a reminder that art is an ongoing conversation, full of echoes and shared ideas.