A New York Blizzard 1890

Childe Hassam captured this scene of a New York blizzard with delicate strokes in muted colors. The dark, looming figure beneath an umbrella dominates the foreground, a stark silhouette against the white snow. The umbrella itself, a shield against the storm, echoes forms of protection seen throughout art history. Think of the Madonna sheltering humanity under her cloak; it shares a similar motif of refuge in times of turmoil. The umbrella, in particular, reminds me of ancient depictions of parasols held over rulers, symbolizing power and authority. Over time, this symbol has transformed. In Hassam's work, it's not a sign of royalty but of everyday survival, a democratization of an ancient motif. This image, therefore, is not merely a depiction of a winter day. It is a powerful engagement with our shared, subconscious understanding of protection, and the individual's resilience against nature’s chaotic forces. This scene resonates with a profound sense of our collective experience. The past echoes in the present, transforming through changing times.