At the Florist

It is early morning at a Parisian flower stall. A cool, fragrant breeze rolls by as silvery streams of water run from the flowerpots to the curb. By setting a brilliant profusion of colorful flowers against the grey pavement, Childe Hassam has sharpened our senses, attuning us to the everyday beauty of this scene. Notice how the apron of the girl carrying flowers resembles the paper cones encircling the bouquets. This visual detail makes a poetic connection between the fresh blossoms and the girl’s youthful beauty.

Hassam was one of a group of American painters who travelled to Paris to learn the new Impressionist style firsthand. This picture was the last he painted in France before returning home to the States.

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