Skip to main contentProvenanceThe artist
Charles Prendergast, 1924 (brother of the artist)
Mrs. Charles Prendergast, 1948 (wife of Charles Prendergast)
Davis & Long Company, New York, New York, 1977
David Tunick, New York, New York, 1979
Davis & Langdale, Company, New York, New York, 1982
Daniel J. Terra Collection, Chicago, Illinois, 1982
Terra Foundation for the Arts Collection, Chicago, Illinois, 1999
Exhibition HistoryPublished References
Maurice Brazil Prendergast
(American, 1858–1924)
Lady with Umbrella
c. 1891–94
Monotype on cream wove paper
Image: 7 1/16 x 3 1/2 in. (17.9 x 8.9 cm)
Plate: 9 1/4 x 4 1/8 in. (23.5 x 10.5 cm)
Sheet: 11 x 6 in. (27.9 x 15.2 cm)
Mat: 19 1/4 x 14 1/4 in. (48.9 x 36.2 cm)
Plate: 9 1/4 x 4 1/8 in. (23.5 x 10.5 cm)
Sheet: 11 x 6 in. (27.9 x 15.2 cm)
Mat: 19 1/4 x 14 1/4 in. (48.9 x 36.2 cm)
Credit LineTerra Foundation for American Art, Daniel J. Terra Collection
Object number1999.115
SignedIn graphite, lower right: MBP [monogram]
InterpretationIn Maurice Prendergast's early monotype Lady with Umbrella (CR 1572), a typical "Prendergast girl" ventures forth with umbrella aloft and spiraling boa wrapped around her neck. Inspired by the attenuated forms of the women often pictured in Japanese prints, Prendergast added a long, frilly boa to his usual prim lady to lengthen her silhouette. The extravagantly complex silhouette of the figure in Lady with Umbrella is exaggerated against the plain background.
Lady with Umbrella was printed on a large sheet along with Lady with Handkerchief (TF1992.90, CR 1571), but the two works were separated after the artist's death. The two figures from the original single sheet were printed in different colors, but they share the reticulated or grainy surface that results from the use of printer's ink rather than oil paint as the medium.
While the figure in Lady with Handkerchief is relatively static, her counterpart in Lady with Umbrella is infused with the energy of her angular outline. Consistent with Prendergast's early monotypes is the monogram in pencil in the lower right corner. The altered state of the sheet suggests that the monogram was added after the monotypes were separated. This is not the only example of the later manipulation of a Prendergast monotype. Venetian Court (TF 1999.124, CR 1706) and Venetian Well (TF 1992.115, CR 1705) were likewise printed on a single sheet that was then divided.
The Terra Collection of Prendergast monotypes includes a group of works that celebrate the fashionably dressed solitary female figure. In addition to Lady with Umbrella, they are Green Dress (TF 1999.114, CR 1574), The Red Cape (TF 1992.102, CR 1580), Red Haired Lady with Hat (TF 1992.103, CR 1576), The Opera Cloak (TF 1992.97, CR 1693), Lady in Pink (TF 1992.89, CR 1741), Lady in Hat and Green Cape (TF 1992.88, CR 1733), Young Woman with Muff (TF 1992.121, CR 1731), and Woman in a Blue Dress with White Boa and Large Red Hat (TF 1992.118, CR 1745). For more information, see Maurice Brazil Prendergast, Charles Prendergast: A Catalogue Raisonné (1990), to which the CR numbers for the monotypes noted above refer.
Lady with Umbrella was printed on a large sheet along with Lady with Handkerchief (TF1992.90, CR 1571), but the two works were separated after the artist's death. The two figures from the original single sheet were printed in different colors, but they share the reticulated or grainy surface that results from the use of printer's ink rather than oil paint as the medium.
While the figure in Lady with Handkerchief is relatively static, her counterpart in Lady with Umbrella is infused with the energy of her angular outline. Consistent with Prendergast's early monotypes is the monogram in pencil in the lower right corner. The altered state of the sheet suggests that the monogram was added after the monotypes were separated. This is not the only example of the later manipulation of a Prendergast monotype. Venetian Court (TF 1999.124, CR 1706) and Venetian Well (TF 1992.115, CR 1705) were likewise printed on a single sheet that was then divided.
The Terra Collection of Prendergast monotypes includes a group of works that celebrate the fashionably dressed solitary female figure. In addition to Lady with Umbrella, they are Green Dress (TF 1999.114, CR 1574), The Red Cape (TF 1992.102, CR 1580), Red Haired Lady with Hat (TF 1992.103, CR 1576), The Opera Cloak (TF 1992.97, CR 1693), Lady in Pink (TF 1992.89, CR 1741), Lady in Hat and Green Cape (TF 1992.88, CR 1733), Young Woman with Muff (TF 1992.121, CR 1731), and Woman in a Blue Dress with White Boa and Large Red Hat (TF 1992.118, CR 1745). For more information, see Maurice Brazil Prendergast, Charles Prendergast: A Catalogue Raisonné (1990), to which the CR numbers for the monotypes noted above refer.
Charles Prendergast, 1924 (brother of the artist)
Mrs. Charles Prendergast, 1948 (wife of Charles Prendergast)
Davis & Long Company, New York, New York, 1977
David Tunick, New York, New York, 1979
Davis & Langdale, Company, New York, New York, 1982
Daniel J. Terra Collection, Chicago, Illinois, 1982
Terra Foundation for the Arts Collection, Chicago, Illinois, 1999
Exhibition History
[possibly exhibited] Color Prints of H. D. Murphy, Charles Hopkinson and M. B. Prendergast, Gallery of Hart and Watson, Boston, Massachusetts, 1897.
The Monotypes of Maurice Prendergast: A Loan Exhibition, Davis & Long Company, New York, New York, April 4–28, 1979. [exh. cat.]
Monotypes by Maurice Prendergast from the Terra Museum of American Art, Terra Museum of American Art, Evanston, Illinois (organizer). Venues: National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., January 27–April 14, 1985; Terra Museum of American Art, Evanston, Illinois, April 27–June 30, 1985; Amon Carter Museum, Fort Worth, Texas, July 12–September 8, 1985; Williams College Museum of Art, Williamstown, Massachusetts, September 20–November 17, 1985; Flint Institute of Arts, Flint, Michigan, November 24, 1985–January 19, 1986; Oklahoma Art Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, January 28–February 24, 1986; Everson Museum of Art, Syracuse, New York, May 13–June 15, 1986; Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, June 23–August 24, 1986; Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, Montgomery, Alabama, September 2–October 26, 1986; The Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, Ohio, November 2–30, 1986; Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Minneapolis, Minnesota, December 13, 1986–February 15, 1987; Bass Museum of Art, Miami Beach, Florida, June 21–July 31, 1987; Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus, Ohio, August 8–September 27, 1987; Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute, Utica, New York, October 4–November 5, 1987; Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 15, 1987–January 7, 1988; Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, California, January 20–March 22, 1988; Carnegie Institute, Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, April 9–May 29, 1988. [exh. cat.]
American Treasures: Chase, Whistler and the Prendergasts, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venue: Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, April 26, 1996–January 5, 1997.
The Monotypes of Maurice Prendergast: A Loan Exhibition, Davis & Long Company, New York, New York, April 4–28, 1979. [exh. cat.]
Monotypes by Maurice Prendergast from the Terra Museum of American Art, Terra Museum of American Art, Evanston, Illinois (organizer). Venues: National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., January 27–April 14, 1985; Terra Museum of American Art, Evanston, Illinois, April 27–June 30, 1985; Amon Carter Museum, Fort Worth, Texas, July 12–September 8, 1985; Williams College Museum of Art, Williamstown, Massachusetts, September 20–November 17, 1985; Flint Institute of Arts, Flint, Michigan, November 24, 1985–January 19, 1986; Oklahoma Art Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, January 28–February 24, 1986; Everson Museum of Art, Syracuse, New York, May 13–June 15, 1986; Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, June 23–August 24, 1986; Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, Montgomery, Alabama, September 2–October 26, 1986; The Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, Ohio, November 2–30, 1986; Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Minneapolis, Minnesota, December 13, 1986–February 15, 1987; Bass Museum of Art, Miami Beach, Florida, June 21–July 31, 1987; Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus, Ohio, August 8–September 27, 1987; Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute, Utica, New York, October 4–November 5, 1987; Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 15, 1987–January 7, 1988; Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, California, January 20–March 22, 1988; Carnegie Institute, Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, April 9–May 29, 1988. [exh. cat.]
American Treasures: Chase, Whistler and the Prendergasts, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venue: Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, April 26, 1996–January 5, 1997.
"Collection of Decorative Drawings Shown at Hart & Watson's." Boston Sunday Herald (December 19, 1897): 30. Text p. 30.
The Magazine Antiques 65:4 (April 1979): 705. Ill. p. 705 (black & white).
Langdale, Cecily. The Monotypes of Maurice Prendergast. (exh. cat., Davis & Long Company). New York: Davis & Long Company, 1979. Text p. 11; ill. no. 3, p. 37 (black & white).
Master Print from Six Centuries: Catalog Number 10. New York: David Tunick, 1980. Ill. no. 68.
Langdale, Cecily. Monotypes by Maurice Prendergast in the Terra Museum of American Art. (exh. cat., Terra Museum of American Art). Chicago, Illinois: Terra Museum of American Art, 1984. Text pp. 12, 28, 32, 52; ill. no. 3, p. 53 (color).
Richard, Paul. "Sweetness and Night: Maurice Prendergast at the National Gallery." Washington Post (June 15, 1986): C: 1, 6. Text p. C6.
[possibly] "Prendergast Monotypes to be at Whitney Museum." Antiques & the Arts Weekly (February 27, 1987): 13. Text p. 13 (probably Lady with Umbrella).
Ross, John, Clare Romano, and Tim Ross. The Complete Printmaker. New York: Free Press, 1989. Ill. p. 248 (black & white).
Clark, Carol, Nancy Mowll Mathews and Gwendolyn Owens. Maurice Brazil Prendergast; Charles Prendergast: A Catalogue Raisonné. Munich, Germany and Williamstown, Massachusetts: Prestel-Verlag and The President and Trustees of Williams College, 1990. No. 1572, p. 576; ill. no. 1572, p. 576 (black & white).
The Magazine Antiques 65:4 (April 1979): 705. Ill. p. 705 (black & white).
Langdale, Cecily. The Monotypes of Maurice Prendergast. (exh. cat., Davis & Long Company). New York: Davis & Long Company, 1979. Text p. 11; ill. no. 3, p. 37 (black & white).
Master Print from Six Centuries: Catalog Number 10. New York: David Tunick, 1980. Ill. no. 68.
Langdale, Cecily. Monotypes by Maurice Prendergast in the Terra Museum of American Art. (exh. cat., Terra Museum of American Art). Chicago, Illinois: Terra Museum of American Art, 1984. Text pp. 12, 28, 32, 52; ill. no. 3, p. 53 (color).
Richard, Paul. "Sweetness and Night: Maurice Prendergast at the National Gallery." Washington Post (June 15, 1986): C: 1, 6. Text p. C6.
[possibly] "Prendergast Monotypes to be at Whitney Museum." Antiques & the Arts Weekly (February 27, 1987): 13. Text p. 13 (probably Lady with Umbrella).
Ross, John, Clare Romano, and Tim Ross. The Complete Printmaker. New York: Free Press, 1989. Ill. p. 248 (black & white).
Clark, Carol, Nancy Mowll Mathews and Gwendolyn Owens. Maurice Brazil Prendergast; Charles Prendergast: A Catalogue Raisonné. Munich, Germany and Williamstown, Massachusetts: Prestel-Verlag and The President and Trustees of Williams College, 1990. No. 1572, p. 576; ill. no. 1572, p. 576 (black & white).