Artwork
Eucalyptus Trees
Eucalyptus Trees is an ink print by Childe Hassam. It dates from 1927 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower right in plate: Cornado / March. 8th 18th / [the artist's monogram] / 1927; lower right in graphite: [the artist's monogram] imp; upper left in graphite by unknown hand: 275; lower left in graphite by uknown hand: Eucalyptus Trees 75; lower left verso in graphite by unknown hand: B.25520.; lower right verso in graphite by unkonwn hand: NO
- Markings
- Marked:stamped left center verso in black ink (twice): F.B.B. [circled]
About this work
Overview
Childe Hassam’s 1927 etching titled “Eucalyptus Trees” presents a quiet coastal landscape rendered in black on wove paper. The composition centers on a sandy track that leads toward a shoreline, flanked by a line of tall trees. The work’s monochrome execution emphasizes form and atmosphere rather than color, inviting a measured contemplation of the scene.
Subject & Meaning
The image juxtaposes natural elements, a beach, sand, and towering trees, with faint indications of human presence in the distance. This subtle inclusion suggests a dialogue between the untouched environment and the trace of activity, underscoring the delicate balance between nature’s serenity and the fleeting imprint of people.
Technique & Style
Created through the etching process, Hassam incised lines into a metal plate, which were then inked and pressed onto wove paper. The artist’s use of fine, repetitive strokes produces texture in the sand and foliage, while the limited palette of black ink heightens contrast and lends the work a calm, restrained mood characteristic of his late printmaking.
History & Provenance
Produced in the final decade of Hassam’s career, the etching reflects his continued interest in coastal subjects. While specific ownership records are limited, the piece has been documented in catalogues of Hassam’s prints and appears in several public and private collections that focus on early 20th‑century American etchings.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Frederick Childe Hassam (; October 17, 1859 – August 27, 1935) was an American Impressionist painter, noted for his urban and coastal scenes.
