Flower Girl 1888

Childe Hassam painted ‘Flower Girl’ with oil on canvas during an era of rapid social change. The piece depicts a woman selling flowers on a Parisian street. Look closely at the figures that surround her, they're rendered with an impressionistic blur, suggesting a society in motion. Painted in the late 19th century, this image is a commentary on the evolving roles of women in society. The flower girl is an entrepreneur, a worker carving out a space for herself in the urban landscape. Hassam, an American, was deeply influenced by the French Impressionists. This painting reflects their interest in capturing fleeting moments of modern life. As historians, we can delve into municipal records, census data, and period newspapers to uncover more of the socioeconomic conditions that shaped Hassam’s work. His art is a product of its time and by understanding the cultural forces that shaped its creation, we gain a richer appreciation of its historical significance.