Old Lyme Bridge 1903

Childe Hassam made this painting of Old Lyme Bridge with oil on canvas, and immediately I’m struck by his broken brushwork. It’s a mosaic of dabs and dashes. You can sense the speed and rhythm of his hand as he built up the image, almost like a form of automatic writing! Looking closer, you see the paint is applied in short, choppy strokes, especially in the sky, which gives it a sense of movement and atmosphere. The colour palette is muted, mostly greens, blues, and browns, but there are pops of yellow that catch the eye. There's something about the way the light flickers across the surface, creating a sense of depth and texture that makes you want to reach out and touch it. I see a dialogue with Monet, especially in the way Hassam captures the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere, but Hassam’s touch feels more grounded. Painting, like any conversation, involves listening and responding to what has come before, while bringing one's own unique voice to the table. Art is never about settling on definitive meanings, but staying curious!