Northeast Gorge at Appledore 1912

Childe Hassam’s “Northeast Gorge at Appledore” is a landscape painting rendered with oil paint, evoking a bright summer’s day. Hassam's process is so apparent here. He leaves these incredible dabs and dashes of paint, like confetti on the canvas, building up the form. I am really drawn to the way Hassam captures the texture of the rocks, their rugged surfaces, the way he contrasts the cool blues of the water with the warm, sun-baked tones of the cliff face. And the way the paint is applied so thickly! You can almost feel the grit of the stone and the cool spray of the water. There’s a small figure bathing in the inlet, painted with a flurry of white brushstrokes. It's a beautiful moment of calm within the broader scene. This reminds me a little of Monet, but with a distinctly American sensibility. It's like Hassam is saying, “I see you, Impressionism, but I’m going to do it my way, with my own light and my own landscape.” What I love most is the way Hassam leaves room for interpretation, inviting us to bring our own experiences and emotions to the canvas.