Charles Prendergast (1863-1948)
Man Dancing, ca. 1917
Watercolor and gold leaf on wood
Williams College Museum of Art, Gift of Mrs. Charles Prendergast, 86.18.23
Man Dancing was likely inspired by an ancient work of art. Charles often borrowed the poses of dancing figures from Etruscan tomb paintings, and Man Dancing may be derived from a figure dressed in a short tunic with both arms raised that was illustrated in the artist’s copy of the book Etruskische Malerei (Etruscan Painting) of 1921.