biography of Charles PRENDERGAST (1863-1948)

Birth place: Boston, MA

Death place: Norwalk, CT

Addresses: Westport, CT, 1925-on

Profession: Craftsman, painter, sculptor, framemaker, teacher

Exhibited: S. Indp. A., 1917-18, 1921, 1936, 1941; Salons of Am., 1923; AIC; WMAA, 1934-48; Corcoran Gal. biennial, 1939; PAFA Ann., 1939, 1945-46

Member: Am. Soc. P S & G.; ANA, 1939.

Work: PMG; AGAA; RISD; Barnes Fnd.; International House, NY

Comments: Early in his career, he became known for his exotic hand-carved and painted frames, often of gold or silver leaf over incised plaster, with color. In 1903, he and H. Dudley Murphy founded the Carrig-Rohane Frame Shop (see separate entry) in Winchester, Mass. It was not until he was about age 50 that Prendergast turned more fully to painting. Charles"s more famous brother was Maurice Prendergast, for whom he created many frames. Signature note: The backs of his paintings or frames are often inscribed with sketches of animals, and his frames typically bear his carved monogram.

Sources: WW47; Community of Artists, 76 (cites an 1863 birth date); Marlor, Salons of Am. (puts date of birth at 1863); Falk, Exh. Record Series.