Summer Afternoon 1917

Childe Hassam made "Summer Afternoon" with oil on canvas, and what strikes me first is how this is a painting made of touch. The surface is thick with it, like you could feel the day itself with your fingers. Look closely at that big tree on the right. See how each leaf isn't really a leaf, but a dab, a stutter of paint? It’s like Hassam is building the tree, and the whole scene, out of pure sensation. The colors are muted, soft greens and blues, but the texture! It’s like a mosaic, each stroke vibrating with its own little life. And it all adds up to this shimmering, dreamy vision of a summer’s day. Hassam reminds me a bit of Monet, but with a more grounded, American feel. Both were interested in capturing fleeting moments of light and atmosphere, but Hassam’s touch feels more deliberate, more physical. It's like he's saying, "Here, feel this day with me." And isn't that what painting is all about?