The Gorge - Appledore, Isles of Shoals 1901

Childe Hassam made this painting of the Appledore gorge at the Isles of Shoals with oil on canvas. This image has a casual feel; it's an informal landscape from a popular vacation spot. It comes from a time when there was a growing culture of leisure in America. Hassam's impressionistic style captures the sensation of being there in nature. It's a far cry from the grand landscapes of the Hudson River School. The late 19th century was a time of changing values in art. Artists began to challenge academic traditions and sought new ways to represent the world around them. To understand Hassam's work, you might look into the history of leisure in America or the rise of impressionism. The meaning of art is closely tied to the social and institutional context in which it is made.