The artwork “After Breakfast,” created by Childe Hassam in the year 1890, is a distinguished example of the Impressionism art movement, classified under the genre of genre painting. This piece illuminates the domestic scenes typical of this movement, capturing the subtleties of everyday life with an emphasis on light and color.
The artwork depicts two women engaged in their morning activities in a sunny, secluded garden. One woman stands in the foreground, attentively watering a vibrant array of potted flowers, dressed in a white outfit that reflects the sunlight. The other woman is seated on the steps in the background, engrossed in reading a newspaper, accompanied by a small dog lounging nearby. The lush, green foliage and the blooming flowers create a serene and picturesque environment, characteristic of the Impressionist technique with loose brushwork and a focus on the play of natural light and shadows. The composition exudes tranquility and the simple pleasures of domestic life, indicative of Childe Hassam’s mastery in depicting the beauty of everyday moments.