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Untitled (Rites of Spring)

A work made of tempera, and gold and silver leaf on incised, gessoed panel.

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  • A work made of tempera, and gold and silver leaf on incised, gessoed panel.

Date:

c. 1916–18

Artist:

Charles Prendergast
American, born Canada, 1863–1948

About this artwork

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.

Status

On View, Gallery 272

Department

Arts of the Americas

Artist

Charles Prendergast

Title

Untitled (Rites of Spring)

Place

United States (Object made in)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

c. 1916–1918

Medium

Tempera, and gold and silver leaf on incised, gessoed panel

Inscriptions

signed, l.r.: "C. PRENDERGAST"

Dimensions

58.4 × 78.7 cm (23 × 31 in.)

Credit Line

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

Reference Number

2011.228

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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