New England Coastal Village c. 1915 - 1918

Maurice Prendergast made this watercolor painting, titled 'New England Coastal Village', sometime in the early 20th century. The free, loose brushstrokes and bright colors capture a sense of leisure and seaside recreation, yet the composition also hints at the social and economic transformations occurring in New England at the time. As industry grew, rural populations migrated to urban centers, leaving coastal villages struggling to find their place in a rapidly changing world. The way Prendergast flattens the picture plane and emphasizes decorative patterns reflects an awareness of European modernism. But at the same time, the painting documents the artist's commitment to representing American subjects. The figures that populate the scene, though anonymous, suggest that the village still offered space for community and leisure. To better understand this work, one might consult local historical archives, census records, and tourism brochures from the period, to uncover the complex social dynamics shaping Prendergast's vision of New England.