Old Lace 1915

Childe Hassam made this etching, *Old Lace,* with a square plate. Look how he breaks down a complex scene using a vocabulary of small, flickering marks. It’s kind of a pointillist approach, but with lines instead of dots. Hassam really lets the process shine through; there’s no hiding the hand here. I find the way he renders the water particularly compelling. The lines suggest movement and reflection, and you can almost feel the current. The detail he uses for the boats contrasts with the bridge in the background, which is less distinct. It reminds me of some of Whistler's prints – a similar interest in capturing atmospheric effects with a light touch. Ultimately, this is a piece that invites you to slow down and really look, to appreciate the beauty in the everyday.