Summertime 1891

Childe Hassam painted Summertime in the United States, at a time when American artists were keen to develop their own kind of Impressionism. Hassam was part of a group known as "The Ten," who broke away from established art institutions to create their own exhibition society. They wanted to show art that felt modern and relevant, but also beautiful, without the stuffy rules of the traditional art world. Summertime is evocative of leisure and affluence. The young woman here is dressed in pretty clothing. The setting is a lush garden, bathed in sunlight and a carefree ambiance. Does Hassam’s art reflect or critique the social structures of its time? His work seems to celebrate middle class life, without engaging in social commentary. This makes Hassam’s paintings a rich resource for understanding the aspirations and values of a specific social class, at a particular moment in American history.