The Sonata

The Sonata is a 1902 Impressionist painting by renowned American artist Childe Hassam. It depicts an elegant woman playing piano in a fashionable room bathed in the glow of gaslight at dusk. Soft peach and gold tones pervade the scene, from the subject’s dress to the walls and floor.
Painted in New York, The Sonata demonstrates Hassam’s mastery of impressionism and interest in gentile subjects. His signature style features loose brushstrokes, pastel color palettes, and capturing fleeting moments. Here, Hassam renders the quiet intimacy of a woman enjoying a private musical performance in an upper-class home. The subject’s pose and expression emanate serenity and poise.
Hassam was instrumental in popularizing impressionism in America, focusing on cosmopolitan subjects like city life and female figures inhabiting private domestic spaces. Other similar works include Rainy Night, Columbus Circle, showing Columbus Circle in New York under streetlights glistening in the rain, and Late Afternoon, New York, depicting a fashionable woman gazing out a window.
The Sonata offers a glimpse into the privileged lifestyle of the Victorian bourgeoisie that Hassam depicted. Soft light, feminine grace, and artistic pursuits come together in this tender work. Hassam’s impressionist mastery shines through each brushstroke, perfectly capturing a cultured atmosphere and psychological experience in turn-of-the-century New York through the harmonious fusion of light, color, and subject. This tranquil yet compelling piece is a fine example of Hassam’s oeuvre and wider ambitions.