Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris 1888

Childe Hassam painted this view of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, using oil paint on canvas. Look closely and you'll see how the material influences the appearance of the artwork. Hassam applied the paint in thick strokes, capturing the way light reflects off the wet pavement. The cathedral is rendered with visible, textured brushwork, giving the stone a sense of weight and presence. This approach reflects the artist's interest in capturing the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere, a hallmark of Impressionism. In his technique, Hassam was engaging with the skilled tradition of oil painting, a practice that has long been associated with the art world. But this approach, with its emphasis on direct observation and loose, expressive brushwork, also aligned with a broader cultural shift towards modernity and the everyday. By focusing on the urban landscape and the bustling city life, Hassam challenged traditional distinctions between fine art and the modern world, reminding us that materials, making, and context are essential to the work's full meaning.