CHILDE HASSAM, AMERICAN IMPRESSIONIST 

I JUST HAVE TO LOOK AT CHILDE HASSAM'S PAINTINGS

OF THE SEA AND SEA GARDENS TO FEEL UPLIFTED. MANY

OF HIS MOST BEAUTIFUL WORKS WERE SCENES OF THE 

ISLES OF SHOALS, 10 MILES OFF THE COAST OF NEW

HAMPSHIRE. HASSAM'S LUSH, RICHLY COLORED GARDENS

HAVE A MAGICAL QUALITY.

IT WAS IN THIS SETTING THAT CELIA THAXTER, A POET AND

JOURNALIST, ESTABLISHED AN INFORMAL SALON. SHE ATTRACTED

ARTISTS, WRITERS, AND MUSICIANS TO HER HOME ON 

APPLEDORE ISLAND. HER GARDENS WERE CELEBRATED IN

HASSAM'S SENSUOUS WORKS, CAPTURING THEIR BRILLANT

COLORS AND WILD BEAUTY.