Childe Hassam
(1849/1859-1935)

Childe Hassam is internationally recognized as one of the greatest American Impressionist Painters. Hassam apprenticed as a wood engraver and took early work as a freelance illustrator. In 1838 he took the first of four trips to France and took course at Academie Julian from 1886-89. His paintings from this time are of atmospheric effects or rainy days in twilight. During Hassam’s second trip, his palette became similar to French Impressionism with lighter and brighter color. From 1890 on Hassam focused on painting NYC scenes. Hassam spent his summers painting floral watercolors of gardens and costal scenes. He moved to East Hampton in 1919. Hassam was a member of “The Ten” and produced over 2,500 paintings. His entire collection was sold by Macbeth and Milch Galleries to establish a fund that would benefit museum collections across the U.S. He died in 1935.