Hawthorne was one of America’s great teachers of art along with William M. Chase and Hans Hofmann. Both of these artists had relationships with Hawthorne and while they differed in some of their techniques and ideas they were all three important to the evolution and understanding of American art. Hawthorne established his school of painting in Provincetown. He taught classes outdoors and indoors and was a beloved professor and a highly individual thinker and painter.

Twighlight is an iconic and wonderful portrait of Julia Morrow who was a pupil of Hawthorne. She later married and became Mrs. Cornelius DeForest and many art critics and collectors feel that portraiture was where he excelled. A significant note about Hawthorne was the admiration that he felt for the portraits of Frans Hals. For the rest of his life, this stayed with him and shaped his intense interest in painting figures. With Hawthorne it is best to read quotes by him as he was vocal, articulate and well documented. And it is noted that he wanted to imbue his figures with same sort of eternal spirit which ennobled the great masters works. This portrait, as does many of his portraits, have an sensibility about them that rivets the viewer and much of it is due to his wonderful painting techniques and color palette. Hawthorne was known for many well remembered sayings and advice about painting. He often advised his students to “let loose” and have fun and not allow their color to be muddied. And for 1917, this work holds in the realm of the greatest figurative works being done at this time. This is backed up by the long list of exhibitions to which this painting represented Hawthorne. And interesting to note that Hawthorne kept it and sent it to these exhibitions as opposed to selling it. It was in his estate when he passed away.