The artwork titled “A Kiss For Baby Anne” is a creation by the artist Mary Cassatt, dating back to approximately 1897. Executed in pastel on paper, this piece is a representation of the Impressionist movement, measuring 46.36 by 54.6 centimeters. It falls under the genre painting category and, as of the knowledge cutoff in April 2023, is part of a private collection.
In this tender and intimate artwork, we observe a close-up portrayal of a loving moment between a mother and her child. The mother is depicted in profile, gently pressing her lips against the plump cheek of her baby. The child, Baby Anne, appears with a relaxed and content expression, suggestive of the comfort and affection felt in her mother’s embrace. The use of pastel allows for soft, textured strokes that capture the warmth and emotion of the moment. The contrasting colors, with the mother dressed in blue and the child in white, create a harmonious balance, emphasizing the focal point of the mother’s kiss. The artist’s mastery of light and shadow is evident, lending volume and tenderness to the figures, characteristics that are quintessential to the Impressionist style. The choice of subject matter, a scene from everyday life, is typical of genre paintings, where the depiction of such personal and domestic moments seeks to evoke an emotional connection with the viewer.
