September Sunlight

The golden-rod is yellow; / The corn is turning brown; / The trees in apple orchards / With fruit are bending down.    /    The gentian’s bluest fringes / Are curling in the sun; / In dusty pods the milkweed / Its hidden silk has spun.    /    The sedges flaunt their harvest, / In every meadow nook; / And asters by the brook-side / Make asters in the brook    /    From dewy lanes at morning / The grapes’ sweet odors rise; / At noon the roads all flutter / With yellow butterflies.    /    By all these lovely tokens / September days are here, / With summer’s best of weather, / And autumn’s best of cheer.    /    But none of all this beauty / Which floods the earth and air / Is unto me the secret / Which makes September fair.    /    ‘T is a thing which I remember; / To name it thrills me yet: / One day of one September / I never can forget. Could Helen Hunt Jackson’s secret be the September Sunlight? https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/september-2/

Childe Hassam, born Frederick Childe Hassam on October 17, 1859, in Dorchester, Massachusetts, was a prominent American Impressionist painter. Growing up in Boston, Hassam initially worked as an illustrator and watercolourist before travelling to Paris in 1886 to study at the prestigious Académie Julian. It was in Paris that he was deeply influenced by the Impressionist movement, which shaped his distinctive style characterized by loose brushwork, vibrant colours, and the play of light. Upon returning to the United States, Hassam settled in New York City and became a key figure in promoting Impressionism in America. He co-founded the Ten American Painters, a group that broke away from the conservative Society of American Artists to embrace modern artistic trends.

Throughout his career, Hassam produced an extensive body of work, including urban and rural scenes, coastal landscapes, and his famous series of flag paintings created during World War I. His art often depicted the bustling life of New York City, serene New England landscapes, and the charm of French villages, capturing the essence of American and European scenes with a keen eye for detail and atmosphere. Hassam’s works are celebrated for their ability to convey the transient effects of light and mood, making him a pivotal figure in American art history. He continued to paint until his death on August 27, 1935, leaving a lasting legacy as one of America’s foremost Impressionist painters.

Hassam’s depictions of Parisian boulevards are celebrated as some of the most significant works in his artistic portfolio, with September Sunlight standing out as a quintessential example of his Parisian Impressionist pieces. In these paintings, Hassam captures the elegance of finely dressed Parisians in carriages and on strolls, offering a glimpse into the sophisticated lives of the city’s upper class. This particular scene encapsulates the vibrant energy of Paris that captivated Hassam. He once remarked… There is nothing so interesting to me as people. I am never tired of observing them in everyday life, as they hurry through the streets on business or saunter down the promenade on pleasure. Humanity in motion is a continual study to me. This fascination with the dynamic interplay of daily life is vividly brought to life in his art, reflecting his enduring interest in the bustling activity of the city. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/impressionisms-american-childe-2220574/

For a PowerPoint Presentation on Childe Hassam’s oeuvre, please… Check HERE!