Artwork

Bathing Beach, Bass Rocks

Bathing Beach, Bass Rocks, by Childe Hassam, ink, 1918
Bathing Beach, Bass Rocks, by Childe Hassam, ink, 1918

Bathing Beach, Bass Rocks is an ink print by Childe Hassam. It dates from 1918 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Bathing Beach, Bass Rocks is a circa 1918 black lithograph by American Impressionist Childe Hassam, one of over 3,000 works in his oeuvre spanning paintings, watercolors, etchings, and lithographs.

Subject & Meaning

The lithograph captures a serene coastal scene with scattered figures on a beach and a distant pier, emphasizing mood over detail. A nude figure is included, consistent with Hassam's recurrent themes.

Technique & Style

Characterized by quick, loose lines, the work conveys a sense of movement and light, evoking the spontaneity of a sketch. This approach is typical of Hassam's Impressionist technique.

History & Provenance

Created during Hassam's period of contributing to the introduction of Impressionism in America, alongside artists like Mary Cassatt and John Henry Twachtman. Specific provenance details for this work are not provided.

Context

Part of Hassam's body of work focusing on coastal and urban scenes, Bathing Beach, Bass Rocks reflects his interest in everyday leisure activities set against natural landscapes.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Childe Hassam

Artist

Childe Hassam

Frederick Childe Hassam was an American Impressionist painter, noted for his urban and coastal scenes.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.