Child with Straw Hat is an oil painting by French artist Paul Cézanne from 1896. The 69 x 58 cm canvas is part of his post-impressionistic style and portrays a child without a distinct personality, highlighting Cézanne’s interest in engaging with nature through shapes and geometry. The painting is currently in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
One notable aspect of the painting is the child’s expression, which suggests she is not enjoying herself and appears to be isolated. This differs from other works in Cassatt and others’ collection of little girls playing dress-up, where the tone is more playful. Child with Straw Hat has been exhibited at prominent art institutions such as The Art Institute of Chicago and the Ringling Museum.
Cézanne is regarded as a preeminent French artist during the post-impressionist era, having paved the way for twentieth-century art in his distinctive approach to form and color. His other notable works include Forest, Mont Sainte-Victoire, and Woman in a Green Hat. In examining Child with Straw Hat, one can appreciate Cézanne’s unique contribution to modern art through his use of geometric shapes as well as his ability to communicate mood beyond facial expressions through composition and value contrasts.