Monte Pincio 1899

Maurice Prendergast made this watercolor painting of Monte Pincio in Rome, at some point during his travels in Europe between 1898 and 1914. In the painting, Prendergast uses a deliberately naive style to depict a vibrant scene. The use of broad brushstrokes and a limited color palette give the painting a sense of immediacy. Figures are simplified, almost abstracted, and the composition is flattened, reflecting Prendergast's interest in Post-Impressionism. A horse-drawn carriage carries wealthy tourists who are enjoying the view of the city, while clergy members stroll the streets. In its focus on leisure and tourism, the painting may be interpreted as a commentary on the changing social landscape of early 20th-century Europe. Further research into Prendergast's travel journals and letters, along with broader studies of tourism and social class in early 20th-century Italy, might shed more light on the painting's social context.