High Bridge 1922

Childe Hassam made this painting of the High Bridge with oil on canvas, though the exact date is unknown. The surface is built up from lots of dabs of color, sort of like crumbs, which create a shimmering effect. I can imagine Hassam outdoors, even on a cold day, trying to capture the light. There's a patch of blue shadow in the snow, right under the bridge, that really grabs my attention. It’s like a little abstract painting within the bigger picture. The way the blue pops against the white, it almost vibrates. It’s not just a shadow; it’s a whole mood. The texture of the paint makes the scene feel alive, not just like a picture of a bridge and some houses. Hassam reminds me a little of Camille Pissarro, they both have this way of building form out of small strokes. It's like they're not just painting what they see, but also how they see.