Hassam, Childe

Hassam, Childe (1859–1935). American painter and printmaker, one of his country's foremost exponents of Impressionism. Hassam trained as a wood engraver in Boston and early in his career he was a successful illustrator, particularly of children's stories. He discovered Impressionism on his second visit to Europe in 1886–9, when he studied briefly at the Académie Julian, and he was one of the first artists to import the style to the USA. On his return to America he settled in New York, and the life of the city became one of his main sources of subject-matter; scenes of rainy streets were something of a speciality. Another favourite theme was a woman in an interior. His early paintings are fresh and clear but sometimes rather slick and saccharine. After the turn of the century, his style tended towards greater simplification and flatness in composition and his colour became lusher—somewhat in the manner of Bonnard. Hassam was immensely prolific in oils, watercolour, pastel, and a variety of drawing media; in his 50s he also took up printmaking seriously, producing a large number of etchings and lithographs (notably harbour scenes in a style reminiscent of Whistler). His work was much exhibited and won a great deal of critical acclaim (although, not surprisingly, he was sometimes accused of overproduction). In addition to being a prominent figure at the annual shows of The Ten, he had numerous one-man exhibitions, including one at the Paris galleries of Durand-Ruel in 1901—a remarkable distinction for a non-Frenchman. He received many honours and died a wealthy man, although by this time he was seen in artistic circles as a very conservative figure. He left all his own paintings still in his possession to the American Academy of Arts and Letters, which profited greatly from their sale.