French painters come to mind, when one hears the term, impressionism, yet this style of painting took hold all over Europe and in this country.
Impressionism has been described as "an atmospheric impression of nature - done with dots and the breaking up of light and lines". The earlier landscape painters were able to paint a scene exactly as it looked - in what is termed realism. However, many painters who followed, who did not possess the talent to do this, developed this atmospheric style which was easier to paint, yet resulted in works which are pleasing to the eye and highly collected, today.
The Americans adopted the technique and many paintings done by them are on display now at the Worcester Art Museum in Massachu- setts until January 4. Most of the American work was done in the c.1900 to 1920 period, influenced by Japanese art and culture which stimulated the art deco and art nouveau movements. Of the paintings exhibited, about two- thirds are from the museum's collection and the remainder from private collections. Notable is one of a Girl Playing Solitaire done by Frank Benson, c.1909, housed in a magnificent Foster Brothers carved frame from Boston. His Portrait Of My Daughter, done in 1907, is the highlight of the exhibition. One must travel far to find a better example of portraiture combined with a landscape background, a technique perfected by Thomas Gainsborough in the 18th century.
Childe Hassam, a well-known Boston painter, traveled to Europe to study and returned to create many fine works that are considered among the best of American impressionism. His views of Boston have appeared in many publications. Another well-published artist is Mary Cassatt, who in 1903 rendered REINE LEFABRE Holding a Nude Baby. She was but one of many women who turned their talents to this style.
The noted portrait artist, John Singer Sargent is represented by a still life, ORANGES AT CORFU, done in 1909. Your writer's opinion is that he should have confined himself to portraits. His BATHERS, done in 1907 reinforces this belief. William Merrit Chase pleases us with EARLY MORNING STROLL IN A NEW YORK PARK, painted c.1887-1891.
Of local interest is a landscape done by Childe Hassam at Appledore Island at the Isles of Shoals, c.1907. Hassam spent summers there and painted the area extensively.
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