“Lumbering,” an oil painting on canvas created by Childe Hassam in 1903, exemplifies the Impressionist movement through its vibrant use of color and loose brushwork. Measuring 43.7 x 55.9 cm, this genre painting is currently held in a private collection.
The artwork depicts two men engaged in the act of logging within a sunlit, autumnal woodland. The foreground features a fallen tree trunk, with one man standing and holding an axe while the other kneels, appearing to assess the timber. The background is rich with golden-hued foliage, suggesting the season of fall and evoking a sense of warmth and tranquility. The impressionistic technique is evident in the quick, diffused brushstrokes that merge to form a cohesive yet dynamic scene, capturing both the labor of the men and the serene beauty of their natural surroundings.