Charles Prendergast
American, born Canada, 1863–1948
Untitled (Rites of Spring)
INV-2083
Charles Prendergast
American, born Canada, 1863–1948c. 1916–18
Untitled (Rites of Spring)
Charles Prendergast American, born Canada, 1863–1948 →Modernismpaintingpicture frame
Date
c. 1916–18
Medium
Tempera, and gold and silver leaf on incised, gessoed panel
Dimensions
58.4 × 78.7 cm (23 × 31 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Roger and J. Peter McCormick Endowment; through prior gift of Albert A. Robin; prior purchase from the B. F. Ferguson Fund; through prior gifts of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert John Hartwick in their memory, Walter H. Schulze Memorial Collection, Hi Simons Memorial Collection, Pauline Palmer, and Ellen N. LaMotte
Charles Prendergast established a reputation as one of the finest frame makers of the early 20th century before dedicating his artistic career to producing exquisite decorated panels such as Untitled (Rites of Spring). He began creating these whimsical works after visiting museums and churches in Italy, drawing on the Christian tradition of gilded panels and synthesizing them with the forms and figures he observed in non-Western art. He also relied on his skills as a frame maker, emphasizing carved and incised patterns, using gold and silver leaf to highlight his unique designs. He then set this panel in one of his own frames.
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