A North East Headland 1901

Childe Hassam made this painting of A North East Headland with oil on canvas, and what strikes me first is the textured surface, a testament to the physical act of painting. You can practically feel the grit of the rocks under your feet and the salt spray on your face, because of the way he builds up the paint. Look at the lower part of the canvas - the stones are rendered with these small, almost staccato touches of paint, a mosaic of whites, creams, and browns. Each dab feels deliberate, a decision made in response to the evolving image. It’s like Hassam is in conversation with the landscape, each brushstroke a response to the colours, textures, and light he encounters. The muted palette of grays, greens, and blues reminds me of some of the tonalist painters. Like Whistler, Hassam creates atmosphere and mood. He invites us to bring our own interpretations to the scene.