Childe Hassam
United States, 1859–1934

Born in Massachusetts on October 17, 1859, Childe Hassam (chihld hahs-um) was
the son of a prominent merchant. He was initially trained as an apprentice to a
wood-engraver.

From the late 1870s to the mid 1880s, Hassam executed drawings from the
illustrations of books, especially children’s stories. He then established himself in
Boston as a painter of urban street scenes. Late in 1886, he and his wife settled in
Paris. It was there that he began lessons in drawing at the Académie Julian. His work
there reflected the Impressionists.