Childe “Muley” Hassam was arguably the most important and successful of the American Impressionists. Having initially taken classes at the Boston Art Club, he travelled to Paris in 1886 to study at the traditional Académie Julian. He soon fell in love with French Impressionism and returned to America in 1889 determined to propagate this avant-garde style. Choosing to settle in New York, he became famous for his lively and colorful depictions of the metropolis. Spring Morning in the Heart of the City (1890) is an early example of the way he captured the bustling energy of urban life. He co-founded The Ten in 1897, along with John Twachtman and J. Alden Weir. Hassam delighted in painting the charming landscapes of New England, alongside producing a great number of prints over the course of his career. He is most famous for his Flag series, which captured Fifth Avenue draped in The Stars and Stripes during World War One.