Flags, Columbus Circle 1918

Childe Hassam made this picture of Columbus Circle using watercolour – you can see the thin washes of colour that he’s layered to build up the scene. It's so evocative – I feel like I’m standing right there, looking up at those big, bright flags flapping in the breeze. You can sense the energy of the city, the hustle and bustle of people going about their day. Hassam had a real knack for capturing the feeling of a place. I wonder what he was thinking as he painted this? Was he trying to capture a specific moment, or was he more interested in the overall impression of the scene? You can see how he was inspired by the Impressionists. The way he uses light and colour, the loose brushstrokes. It's like he's trying to capture a fleeting moment in time. And those flags! They're so vibrant against the muted tones of the buildings and the street. They add a sense of patriotism and optimism to the scene. Artists are always in conversation with each other – across time and place.