Childe Hassam was greatly inspired by many aspects of New York City, including the beauty of Central Park. In this painting, made in 1892, Hassam draws the area around the Conservatory Water in Central Park. The painting shows people leisurely walking along the Conservatory Water’s banks, as well as the natural beauty of the surroundings. The second picture shows the same area around the Conservatory Water in 2009. There are many similarities and differences between the two pictures.
Hassam’s original painting shows a path leading away from the Conservatory Water. This path is still there, as shown in the present-day picture. However, the little house that is shown in Hassam’s drawing is no longer standing today. Another similarity that exists between the two photographs is the presence of many trees. Hassam’s original painting shows many trees, which take up most of the area behind the Conservatory Water. This is similar to the 2009 picture, where trees dominate the background.
The vanishing points of the two pictures are different because of the changes made to the area. The vanishing point in Hassam’s drawing is to the right of the red chimney. However, the vanishing point in the present-day picture is to the left of the tree in the center of the photograph. This difference is a result of the Conservatory Water’s banks being shifted, and the path being moved. Another difference lies in the Conservatory Water’s banks. Whereas in Hassam’s painting, there was no place to sit along the water, today the edges of the banks have been raised with concrete to create a place for people to sit, take pictures, or simply relax. A key difference is the sky. In Hassam’s original painting, the sky is simply blue and empty. However, the present-day picture shows high-rise buildings in the air, a sign indicative of the drastic change that New York City has undergone in the 117 years since Hassam originally drew this painting.
Dear Yevgeniy,
A very nice post. Do you find it amazing, that despite the great changes taking place in New york city this view has changed very little in 100 years? We should talk in class about the vanishing point in this painting and photograph. Both are not inside the picture itself. A tension that makes a painting or a photograph more attractive to the human eye.