Old Dutch Building, Fishkill, New York 1916

Childe Hassam made this watercolor, "Old Dutch Building, Fishkill, New York" in 1916, with watery washes and tight details. You can almost see him squinting in the sun, capturing the way light rakes across the brickwork. I imagine him there, balancing precision with the looseness that watercolors demand. Those sharp, short strokes feel so intentional, but the medium itself is so fugitive, it's always on the move. Look at how the red brick sings against the cool blues and greens, a harmony that feels so immediate. Hassam, like so many painters, was in conversation with his time, and he's in conversation with us today. It's a reminder that painting isn't just about seeing; it's about feeling, thinking, and connecting across time through this messy, beautiful medium.