Woman Reading (1885). Childe Hassam (American, 1859-1935). Watercolor and gouache on paper. White House Collection.
Hassam represented the core of American Impressionism, dedicated to painting what was real for him, what was familiar and close at hand, out-of-doors when possible, and with the immediacy of light and shadow—which though exaggerated and falsely colored at times—makes a purposeful impact or impression.