Posilippo 1897

Childe Hassam created this impressionistic scene, Posilippo, using oil on canvas with energetic brushstrokes and a sunny palette. The landscape is constructed from dabs of yellow and gold, accented by blues and greens. The composition is divided into distinct horizontal layers: the foreground with the road and trees, the middle ground featuring buildings and a prominent dome, and the background depicting the undulating hills. The structural use of colour suggests depth and distance, creating a sense of space. Hassam’s technique rejects a smooth finish, opting for a textured surface. This approach dissolves the clarity of forms and transforms the scene into a play of light and colour, characteristic of Impressionism’s break from traditional academic painting. The result is an artwork that invites us to experience a moment rather than observe a carefully rendered scene.