Frederick Childe Hassam painted his lovely and mysterious “New Year’s Nocturne” in 1892. He gives us a young urban couple bathed in brilliant light in the dark winter night.
He’s dressed to the nines in top hat and tails, and she looks elegant in winter white and furs. They’re part of the in crowd, the smart set. Maybe they’re returning from the theater. Perhaps they are on their way to a New Year’s party.
In the shadows, other couples go on their way. Meanwhile, these two have stopped in front of a shop window display. If only we could ask Hassam, one of the great painters of New York’s Gilded Age, what has given them pause.
Tags: " "Frederick Childe Hassam, 1930s New York painters, Childe Hassam New York City, Childe Hassam's New York, Gilded Age New York Art, Impressionist painters New York, New Years Eve New York City
December 28, 2015 at 3:07 pm |
Here’s my little story – they’ve been to a party, he’s said something that has hurt her, they leave the party, they are walking… she is silent, he is trying to explain himself, she stops to stare into a shop window, he is still trying to make amends…
Happy New Year and thanks for the great posts!
December 28, 2015 at 5:56 pm |
Reblogged this on Reading Other People.
December 28, 2015 at 8:03 pm |
This is magical and, oh, yes! I wish we could ask Mr. Hassam the source of his inspiration for this painting! I wish I could “follow” the couple on to the rest of their evening. I’m surprised to “discover” a painting by Hassam that I’d not seen before; he IS my favorite Impressionist painter and has been ever since seeing “Winter, Late Afternoon, New York”. Thank you so much for sharing with us!
December 28, 2015 at 8:14 pm |
I love it too. He seems contrite; she is indifferent or pretending to be. The story of what’s going on in this scene could take many different directions….
January 2, 2016 at 3:38 pm |
I love this painting. Where is it hanging?
January 2, 2016 at 4:28 pm |
Beautiful painting. Where is it hanging?
January 2, 2016 at 9:13 pm |
It’s part of a private collection