Skip to main contentProvenanceThe artist
Charles Prendergast, 1924 (brother of the artist)
Mrs. Charles Prendergast, 1948 (wife of Charles Prendergast)
Kraushaar Galleries, New York, New York, 1956
Peter Deitsch, New York, New York, 1956
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Uris, New York, New York, by 1961
Peter Deitsch, New York, New York
Christie's New York, New York, May 13, 1986, lot 260
Davis and Langdale, New York, New York (agent), Daniel J. Terra Collection, Chicago, Illinois, 1986
Terra Foundation for the Arts Collection, Chicago, Illinois, 1999
Exhibition HistoryPublished References
Maurice Brazil Prendergast
(American, 1858–1924)
The Red Cape
c. 1891–94
Monotype on cream Japanese paper
Plate: 15 7/8 x 11 1/8 in. (40.3 x 28.3 cm)
Mat: 21 1/2 x 16 1/2 in. (54.6 x 41.9 cm)
Mat: 21 1/2 x 16 1/2 in. (54.6 x 41.9 cm)
Credit LineTerra Foundation for American Art, Daniel J. Terra Collection
Object number1992.102
SignedIn plate, initialed in green, vertically to left of center: M/B/P ["B" and "P" in reverse]
InterpretationThe curlicue twists of a green boa, the hint of a white petticoat, and the stark white fur muff identify the young woman in Maurice Prendergast's monotype The Red Cape (CR 1580) as a member of the fashion elite. Most striking is the flame-like appearance of her pinkish-red hat and its contrast to the netting—its white dots created by scraping through pigment in minute areas—that decorously screens the woman's face.
The Red Cape is an exceptionally large monotype for Prendergast. The artist's characteristic curved brushstrokes suggest the forward swing of the woman's skirt, which exposes her white petticoat in a deft suggestion of depth. Countering this movement, the static form of the white fur muff, created by wiping away pigment, draws the eye. The mica embedded in the white Japanese paper lends the image a subtle radiance. Integral to the design of the composition is the artist's monogram, which he drew on the plate right-wise, causing it to appear reversed in the print.
The Terra Collection of Prendergast monotypes includes a group of works that celebrate the fashionably dressed solitary female figure: in addition to The Red Cape, they are Green Dress (TF 1999.114, CR 1574), Lady with Umbrella (TF 1999.115, CR 1572), 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.
The Red Cape is an exceptionally large monotype for Prendergast. The artist's characteristic curved brushstrokes suggest the forward swing of the woman's skirt, which exposes her white petticoat in a deft suggestion of depth. Countering this movement, the static form of the white fur muff, created by wiping away pigment, draws the eye. The mica embedded in the white Japanese paper lends the image a subtle radiance. Integral to the design of the composition is the artist's monogram, which he drew on the plate right-wise, causing it to appear reversed in the print.
The Terra Collection of Prendergast monotypes includes a group of works that celebrate the fashionably dressed solitary female figure: in addition to The Red Cape, they are Green Dress (TF 1999.114, CR 1574), Lady with Umbrella (TF 1999.115, CR 1572), 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)
Kraushaar Galleries, New York, New York, 1956
Peter Deitsch, New York, New York, 1956
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Uris, New York, New York, by 1961
Peter Deitsch, New York, New York
Christie's New York, New York, May 13, 1986, lot 260
Davis and Langdale, New York, New York (agent), Daniel J. Terra Collection, Chicago, Illinois, 1986
Terra Foundation for the Arts Collection, Chicago, Illinois, 1999
Exhibition History
Monotypes by Maurice Prendergast, Kraushaar Galleries, New York, New York (organizer). Venue: Kraushaar Galleries, New York, New York, May 7–31, 1956.
Art Nouveau, Museum of Modern Art, New York, New York, June 6-September 6, 1961.
The Work of Charles and Maurice Prendergast, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venue: Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, March 16–April 21, 1991.
Regard sur Maurice Brazil Prendergast (Maurice Brazil Prendergast at a Glance), Musée d'Art Américain Giverny, France (organizer). Venue: Musée d'Art Américain Giverny, France, April 1–October 31, 1993.
Un regard américain sur Paris (An American Glance at Paris), Musée d'Art Américain Giverny, France (organizer). Venue: Musée d'Art Américain Giverny, France, April 11–October 31, 1997.
American Artists and the Paris Experience, 1880–1910, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venue: Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, November 22, 1997–March 8, 1998.
On Process: The American Print, Technique Examined, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venue: Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, January 13–March 2, 2001.
Portrait of a Lady : peintures et photographies américaines en France, 1870–1915 (Portrait of a Lady: American Paintings and Photographs in France, 1870–1915), Musée d'Art Américain Giverny, Giverny, France and Musée des Beaux-Arts de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France (organizers). Venues: Musée d'Art Américain Giverny, Giverny, France, April 1–July 14, 2008; Musée des Beaux-Arts de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France, September 25, 2008–January 5, 2009 (exhibited in Bordeaux). [exh. cat.]
Art Nouveau, Museum of Modern Art, New York, New York, June 6-September 6, 1961.
The Work of Charles and Maurice Prendergast, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venue: Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, March 16–April 21, 1991.
Regard sur Maurice Brazil Prendergast (Maurice Brazil Prendergast at a Glance), Musée d'Art Américain Giverny, France (organizer). Venue: Musée d'Art Américain Giverny, France, April 1–October 31, 1993.
Un regard américain sur Paris (An American Glance at Paris), Musée d'Art Américain Giverny, France (organizer). Venue: Musée d'Art Américain Giverny, France, April 11–October 31, 1997.
American Artists and the Paris Experience, 1880–1910, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venue: Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, November 22, 1997–March 8, 1998.
On Process: The American Print, Technique Examined, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois (organizer). Venue: Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Illinois, January 13–March 2, 2001.
Portrait of a Lady : peintures et photographies américaines en France, 1870–1915 (Portrait of a Lady: American Paintings and Photographs in France, 1870–1915), Musée d'Art Américain Giverny, Giverny, France and Musée des Beaux-Arts de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France (organizers). Venues: Musée d'Art Américain Giverny, Giverny, France, April 1–July 14, 2008; Musée des Beaux-Arts de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France, September 25, 2008–January 5, 2009 (exhibited in Bordeaux). [exh. cat.]
Breuning, Margaret. "Margaret Breuning Writes." Arts 30:9 (June 1956): 46–47. Text p. 46.
Christie's, New York, New York (Sale 3367, May 13, 1986): lot 260. Ill. lot 260, p. 85 (black & white).
Wrey, Mark, ed. Christie's Review of the Season. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1986. Ill. no. 188.
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. 1580, p. 578; ill. no. 1580, p. 578 (black & white).
Bourguignon, Katherine M. and Elizabeth Kennedy. An American Point of View: The Daniel J. Terra Collection. Chicago, Illinois: Terra Foundation for the Arts, 2002. Text pp. 138, 203; ill. pp. 139 (color), 203 (black & white).
Bourguignon, Katherine M. and Elizabeth Kennedy. Un regard transatlantique. La collection d'art américain de Daniel J. Terra. Chicago, Illinois: Terra Foundation for the Arts, 2002. Text pp. 138, 203; ill. pp. 139 (color), 203 (black & white).
Vanessa Lecomte, editor. Portrait of a Lady : peinture et photographies américains (exh. cat., Musée d'Art Américain Giverny and Musée des beaux-arts de Bordeaux). Chicago, Illinois: Terra Foundation for American Art, 2008. Text (checklist) p. 94.
Christie's, New York, New York (Sale 3367, May 13, 1986): lot 260. Ill. lot 260, p. 85 (black & white).
Wrey, Mark, ed. Christie's Review of the Season. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1986. Ill. no. 188.
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. 1580, p. 578; ill. no. 1580, p. 578 (black & white).
Bourguignon, Katherine M. and Elizabeth Kennedy. An American Point of View: The Daniel J. Terra Collection. Chicago, Illinois: Terra Foundation for the Arts, 2002. Text pp. 138, 203; ill. pp. 139 (color), 203 (black & white).
Bourguignon, Katherine M. and Elizabeth Kennedy. Un regard transatlantique. La collection d'art américain de Daniel J. Terra. Chicago, Illinois: Terra Foundation for the Arts, 2002. Text pp. 138, 203; ill. pp. 139 (color), 203 (black & white).
Vanessa Lecomte, editor. Portrait of a Lady : peinture et photographies américains (exh. cat., Musée d'Art Américain Giverny and Musée des beaux-arts de Bordeaux). Chicago, Illinois: Terra Foundation for American Art, 2008. Text (checklist) p. 94.