Le Port, St. Malo, Brittany

Port scenes and seascapes were some of Prendergast's favorite subjects; he drew this in a port in northwestern France. Color, however, may be said to be his true subject; influenced by the work of Cézanne and Signac, he placed vibrant color rapidly on the paper in small distinct patches that randomly pattern the sails and rocks. Prendergast worked closely with his brother Charles, with whom he resided in New York, on designs for frames and other decorative projects. Charles, a distinguished artisan-craftsman in his own right, designed and executed the frame for this work.