HARRIS SCHRANK FINE PRINTS » Childe Hassam

A New England Barroom

Harris Schrank — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:44:48 +0000

Childe Hassam (1859-1935), A New England Barroom, etching, 1917, signed with the artist’s cypher lower right, and also inscribed “imp”. [also signed and dated in the plate lower right] Reference: Cortissoz/Clayton 124, only state. In good condition (platemark reinforced verso, the drying tack holes near the edges of the margins), with margins, 5 x 5 1/8, the sheet 6 3/4 x 8 3/8 inches.

A fine impression of this rare print.

Hassam printed this personally (the inscription “imp” is short for the Latin “impressit”. After printing he dryed the print by tacking it to a board, hence the tack holes near the margin edges.

On the wall of this barroom is a framed picture of a soldier, oddly standing with his back to the viewer. At the foot of the bar are two spitoons.

Barroom is unusual aesthetically for one can see Hassam’s impressionist sensibility operating in this incongruous setting – a busy, rough commercial interior.

Hassam may not have been aware that he was using the verso of a signed print to print “Barroom”; the lower part of this print (The Linden Tree, Cortissoz/Clayton 90, a portrait of two nude figures), with the signature, can be seen verso.

Detail

The Old Mulford House

Harris Schrank — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 21:29:59 +0000

Childe Hassam (1859-1935), The Old Mulford House, etching, 1926. Signed by the artist with his monogram in pencil, together with the annotation “imp.” Titled The Old Mumford House in the artist’s hand, bottom left sheet edge. [Also signed and dated in the plate lower right] Reference: Wofsy 264. Edition not known but very rare.

On cream wove paper with full margins. In very good condition, with the artist’s tack holes (used for drying) at the sheet edges, repaired tear and reinforced crease bottom left corner away from image. 8 3/8 x 10 7/8 inches (213 x 276 mm); the sheet 12 1/2 x 16 1/4 inches (318 x 413 mm).

A fine impression of this rarely encountered American Impressionist print – an atmospheric impression of an Easthampton landmark, with the play of shadows across the house working effectively as seen in the best impressions of Hassam’s work.

The “imp” after Hassams monogram stands for the Latin imprimivit, a notation indicating that this was printed personally by the artist.

Hassam is of course one of America’s pre-eminent Impressionist artists, celebrated on a large stage most recently with a show devoted to his work at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

The Billboards, New York

Harris Schrank — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:56:34 +0000

Childe Hassam (1859-1935), The Billboards, New York, etching and drypoint, 1896, signed with the cipher in pencil lower right and annotated “imp” [also signed, dated and titled New York in the plate]. Reference: Cortissoz 87. In generally good condition, a soft fold center left, with margins, 4 5/8 x 6 1/8, the sheet 7 1/8 x 9 3/4 inches.

A fine atmospheric impression, printed on an old ledger sheet, with very carefully placed plate tone. The clouds at the top, the street and the area of the lamp post at the right are left darkened with a veil of plate tone; the buildings toward the left and street in the center have been wiped lighter. There is much burr from the drypoint work.

Cortissoz notes that several states of The Billboards were made, but does not identify them. Our impression appears to be the same state as that pictured by Cortissoz, but has a different look, darker and with the composition more articulated because of the plate tone.

The Billboards was done from a drawing made in New York City, Broadway and 55-56th streets.

Detail

Fifth Avenue, Noon

Harris Schrank — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:43:54 +0000

Childe Hassam (1859-1935), Fifth Avenue, Noon, 1916, etching, signed with the artist’s monogram in pencil, and inscribed “imp” [also signed and dated in the plate]. Reference: Cortissoz 77. Edition c. 20, 2nd state of two. In excellent condition, with full margins (the artist’s drying tack holes at the sheet edge), 9 15/16 x 7 3/16 inches (252 x 183 mm); sheet size 12 5/8 x 9 3/4 inches (321 x 248 mm).

A fine, crisp impression, on cream wove paper

Hassam printed this impression personally.

A view from a window at Fifth Avenue, New York, looking north from 34th Street, etched from life.

Collections: Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts, Cleveland Museum of Art, Corcoran Museum of Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art. Exhibited: Museum of Fine Arts Boston, 1922; Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh, 1916, 1922. Cover illustration for 94 Prints by Childe Hassam, Joseph Czestochowski, 1980.

The Writing Desk

Harris Schrank — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 02:08:02 +0000

Childe Hassam (1859-1935), The Writing Desk, 1915, etching, signed in pencil with the monogram and annotated “imp” (indicating that Hassam pulled this impression himself) [also initialed, dated and the words "Cos Cob" in the plate upper right]. Reference: Cortissoz and Clayton 56, only state, edition size not specified. In very good condition, on an ivory wove paper, the full sheet with deckle edges (drying holes at the edges all around with associated small tears and losses), 10 x 7, the sheet 12 1/2 x 9 1/2 inches, archival mounting (acid free window mat with mylar unattached mounting corners).

A fine, light filled delicately printed impression.

This is a portrait of Mrs. Hassam at Holley House, Cos Cob Connecticut.

Hassam worked as a wood engraver early in his career, before his critical second trip to Europe in 1885. But it was well after establishing himself as America’s pre-eminent Impressionist painter that he turned to etching, in 1915 at the age of 56. This was the year he created The Writing Desk.

This impression of The Writing Desk has a light airy quality. The movement provided by the flowery surroundings and fine strokes of etching provides a fascinating counterpoint to Mrs. Hassam’s thoughtfull, contemplative mood.