Lilies 1910

Childe Hassam’s painting of lilies shows us a figure by a pond in some kind of garden or park, and it's all done with these delicious little dabs of paint. Up close you can see how the marks almost vibrate, especially in the reflection in the water. I like the way the brushstrokes are like mosaic tiles, each one placed with a deliberate yet breezy touch. The lilacs are almost abstract, dissolving into the background. It's interesting how he uses a restrained palette, mostly greens and whites, which makes the painting feel very serene and contemplative. The painting reminds me a lot of Monet, in that it seems like a very personal response to a particular time and place. But unlike Monet, Hassam is less interested in light and more in capturing the feeling of a summer afternoon. It's a really lovely example of how painting can be about capturing a mood more than just representing what's in front of you.