Sea and Rocks, Appledore, Isles of Shoals 1918

Childe Hassam made this painting of Sea and Rocks around the turn of the century, probably in oil. The rocks are built up with lots of different marks, so the colours vibrate, and the painting becomes a record of its own making. The way the paint is applied tells us so much. Thick strokes of blues and greens become the churning sea, and warm yellows and reds build up the craggy rocks. Look closely, and you'll see how Hassam uses short, choppy strokes to capture the texture of the rocks. In contrast, the water is depicted with smoother, more fluid strokes, creating a sense of movement. Notice how the brushstrokes are more broken and separate in the foreground, but become softer and more blended as you move towards the horizon. This gives the painting a sense of depth and atmosphere. Hassam was part of the American Impressionist movement, and you can really see how Monet's influence affected painters at this time. The piece feels like an ongoing conversation between the artist and the world around him.