New York Winter Window 1919

Childe Hassam made this painting of a woman in a room in front of a window, probably in New York, using oil paint. Hassam lays down the paint in short strokes, like he's knitting the scene together. The colors feel muted, and the light is soft, almost diffused. Look at the dress the woman is wearing; it's a sea of tiny brushstrokes, each one a slightly different shade. This kind of mark-making is all about process, about building up the image bit by bit, color by color. Notice how the light comes in through the window, reflecting on the surface of the table. Hassam uses thick paint here to capture that sheen, to give the light a physical presence. I love how he doesn't try to hide the brushstrokes; they're right there on the surface, part of the painting's texture. The overall effect reminds me a little of Bonnard, who also had a knack for capturing quiet, intimate moments. These are paintings which embrace ambiguity. It's like Hassam is inviting us to bring our own experiences, our own emotions, to the scene.