“Flags on the Waldorf” is a cityscape painting created by Childe Hassam in 1916, belonging to the Impressionism movement. The artwork vividly captures a bustling city street adorned with American flags, demonstrating the patriotic fervor of the era. The scene, likely of New York City, is depicted with Hassam’s characteristic loose but purposeful brushstrokes, creating an impressionistic representation of urban life.
The artwork presents a view of a city scene dominated by tall buildings that seem to reach towards the sky. The prominent use of American flags hanging from the buildings adds a patriotic theme to the piece. The street is populated with numerous figures, rendered in the impressionistic style that suggests movement and activity without detailing individual features. The artist uses a palette consisting primarily of blues, browns, and whites, with splashes of reds from the flags, creating a harmonious yet dynamic composition. The brushwork is energetic, adding a sense of liveliness and immediacy to the urban landscape.