Childe Hassam (1859-1935) was born in Boston and died in East Hampton, New York. He spent some important years painting in Connecticut. He is one of the most important American Impressionists credited with bringing the values of that movement to many storied views and places of the Northeast. The Goldfish Window was painted during his time at Cos Cob, Connecticut, a small village that became an artists’ gathering place. This piece is a stunning example of the light focus of Impressionism. The consistent quality of light and fragile texture overlay every corner of this work joining fabric and glass, inside with outside. Our eyes are guided around and through this image. Mine land repeatedly on the reflections on the table. Where do your eyes rest?

And as the spirit would have it, before I started writing on this light-filled morning, I opened a daily meditation from Richard Rohr entitled “The Transformative Power of Art.”

(Truly, this just happened.) Here are some of the words he shared:

I believe good art, good poetry, and true mythology communicates, without our knowing it, that life is not just a series of insulated, unrelated events. The great truths—when they can be visualized in images—reveal deep patterns, and reveal that we are a part of them. That deeply heals us, and it largely happens beneath our conscious awareness.

In Childe Hassam’s connections of tinted colors and radiance, may we feel the connections of which Father Rohr writes. May each of us find here deep patterns and new awareness and hope for humankind.

Thanks be to God for gifts realized and love made visible as artists and writers remind us again and again who and whose we are.

In gratitude, faith and hope,

Sandy Prouty
Minister of Children and Families
Montview Church