Maurice Prendergast's graphite sketch "Salem Willows" captures the leisure landscape of this popular Massachusetts destination with his characteristic attention to figures and natural forms. The drawing demonstrates Prendergast's practiced ability to suggest movement and atmosphere through economical linework, depicting visitors enjoying the grounds beneath the graceful willow trees. This sketchbook page exemplifies how the artist used graphite studies as a foundation for his later color compositions, recording both compositional ideas and the specific character of the place.