Place Centrale and Fort Cabanas 1895

Childe Hassam made this painting of Place Centrale and Fort Cabanas with oil on canvas. With his energetic brushstrokes, the very materiality of the paint is apparent, embodying an impressionistic method that was avant-garde at the time. Notice the texture, weight and color of the paint. Hassam’s skill is evident in his ability to evoke the scene with such vibrancy and capture the effects of light and atmosphere. The painting's materiality also speaks to the broader context of artistic production during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Artists had access to industrialized paints, which allowed for greater experimentation and a wider range of colors. Consider the amount of work involved in creating this painting. While it may appear spontaneous, each brushstroke is deliberate. Understanding the materials, making process and the context helps us appreciate the painting's full meaning, and challenges our traditional notions of art.