I only became familiar with Hassam’s work in the last couple of years. While I admit that some of it probably lay the foundation for Hallmark Greeting Card artwork, I find many of his paintings just exquisite. Here are just a few examples of his output that I’d love to have hanging in my place.
His oeuvre is large and, I admit, seems uneven even to my philistine eye. Bottom line, though, is as a dilettante, I feel the need for my tastes to be validated. Is he considered a significant artist?
My wife the museum docent was incensed that you would even ask this question. She’s a huge fan of Hassam’s work, and yes, he’s considered a major artist.
Minor Artists from a century ago don’t get a wikipedia page this big. Nor are their works hung in the oval office (check out the last photo in the article).
I’m far from an art aficionado, but Hassam’s work has stuck in my mind for years, and I was glad to see mention of him on these boards.
Considering that everyone so far has confirmed that he is, in fact, a Big Deal Artist, any guesses as to why he has virtually no name recognition in the wider public? (Or, at least, so it seems to me.)
I actually thought he was contemporary so when I clicked on the links my first thought was “why is he painting as if it were turn of the century?”. My second thought was “well, even if he is, they are very well done”. My third though was “I can see influences of Van Gogh, Monet, Degas, Constable and very definitely Renoir”
Now had he been contemporary I’d question why he was choosing to paint in those styles but regardless it wouldn’t diminish the quality of the works. Now I know that he was of their era, the reason for the style is obvious.
I’ll have to check out the National Gallery next time I’m up there and see if they have any on display.
It did occur to me as I was posting that I should check your location but I didn’t think any one but the good ole U S of A would have a National Gallery. :smack:
The tourist from Scotland I met this weekend didn’t know my ancestors who left there in the mid 1700s.
She’s a huge fan of Hassam’s work, and yes, he’s considered a major artist.
