Artwork
Hight Tide, Montauk
Hight Tide, Montauk is an ink print by Childe Hassam. It dates from 1922 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1922, this black‑ink etching on wove paper presents a quiet seaside scene at Montauk.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower left in plate: Studio / Jany. 13 / [the artist's monogram] / 1922; lower right in graphite: [the artist's monogram] imp; lower left edge in graphite by unknown hand: High Tide - Montauk; lower center edge in graphite by unknown hand: 351677 [crossed out] 1144HA; upper right verso in graphite: #23
About this work
This etching shows three people near the water at Montauk. The waves lap at their feet. The sand has sharp lines where the tide pulled back.
Hassam made this in 1922. He liked quiet coast scenes like this one. The lines make the water look real. You can almost hear the waves.
Check out another of his works, The Church at Gloucester.
Overview
Created in 1922, this black‑ink etching on wove paper presents a quiet seaside scene at Montauk. Three figures stand near the shoreline as gentle waves retreat, leaving crisp, linear impressions in the sand. The composition balances human presence with the expansive, calm ocean, offering a moment of stillness captured through the artist’s precise line work.
Subject & Meaning
The work portrays three individuals engaged with the beach environment, their feet touching the lapping surf. The setting emphasizes a harmonious relationship between people and the natural coastline, suggesting contemplation and the subtle dialogue between human activity and the rhythmic pull of the tide.
Technique & Style
Executed with fine etching lines and cross‑hatching, the artist renders the texture of sand and the fluidity of water through varied densities of ink. The stark black medium on smooth paper heightens contrast, allowing the delicate gradations of tone to suggest movement and depth without color.
History & Provenance
The piece belongs to a series of coastal subjects favored by the artist in the early 1920s, reflecting his interest in tranquil maritime vistas. It was produced in the final decade of his career and has since been held in private collections before entering public exhibition, illustrating the continued appreciation of his printmaking.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Frederick Childe Hassam (; October 17, 1859 – August 27, 1935) was an American Impressionist painter, noted for his urban and coastal scenes.
