On the forth of July, the artist of the day is Childe Hassam ,(pronounced child; pronounced HASSm), the American Impressionist who painted the memorable Flag series,( the featured painting is the one that hangs in the oval office at the White House. No President has chosen to replace it with something else when they redecorated). He also painted other things like gardens and landscapes and portraits none of which I knew until I started researching him this morning with my second cup of coffee.Childe was born in 1859 in Dorchester, Massachusetts. He always wanted to be an artist and had a successful career. He was held with the same esteem as such greats as Cassatt,John Henry Twachtman, Eakins, Homer, Sargent, Whistler, the best. Read for yourself HERE.
Like Cassatt and Homer and Whistler and Sargent who broke away from The National Academy of Design, he was a rebel and broke away from the The Society of American Artists that they had formed
when they had left the society. He was a founding member of The Ten. It seems Impressionistic artists have a tradition of rebellion. Odd, from painters of such gentle subjects. Perhaps that's how they balanced themselves? To read for yourself about The Ten, click HERE.
Meanwhile I'm going to break away from the computer and break my dry spell by opening those studio doors. It may take some strength. I'm concerned all the wet weather and heat has warped them locked. I'll take my battering ram. Enjoy the holiday. Enjoy Hassam's work; he had quite a range of subjects. To see more go Here.
Thanks for sharing Hassam's beautiful work! Now go to your studio and open those doors! You can do it! Good luck! :)
ReplyDeleteI did. The doors were stuck closed, so I kicked them open and
Deletestarted a charcoal of JD, the kid that did me in. It was good to be back. It had been three weeks since I stood before that easel!
Thanks for the lesson Linda! His work is beautiful and I've learned something new today.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful 4th and enjoy. I look forward to seeing your charcoal.
Isn't it gorgeous! I learned a lot too and also look forward to seeing my charcoal.LOL. Gotta get out of this slump.
DeleteThanks for the info. I think I saw some of his originals when I was in Chicago at the Art Institute. Wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised I had never heard of him till last year when I googled flag paintings looking for the flag painting that I know is hanging in the White House oval office. This year, I was going to wave the same flag, but decided to ferret out the rest of this man's work. I tried to pick a sampling that would entice people to go HERE. That top painting is my favorite. It reminds me of the gardens that Pissaro painted.
DeleteLove Hassam's work. Did the battering ram help???
ReplyDeleteYES! I broke through those doors yesterday, but was disappointed. No little people had gotten in and finished the paintings waiting to be finished. I guess I'll have to do that myself. I started by warming up with charcoal. I didn't get anything to show though, Ellis' back went out helping me with my bike, and he needed my attention, i.e. my nagging to get him up out of his chair every fifteen minutes and move around the room. My nagging went very well even though the drawing didn't.
DeleteGorgeous work, really appreciate learning about this artist !
ReplyDeleteIt is. Me too Jane. And after all my sleuthing this morning I will probably remember his name and look for him in our museum. I'd like to see his work in person.
DeleteThe Portland Art Museum has several Childe Hassam's! LOVE him. Good post!
ReplyDeleteThanks Celeste. I enjoyed going beyond his flag series.
DeleteThanks for this really informative and inspiring post.
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked it Mick. I'm glad I chose to look beyond the flags.
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