The artwork “Ellen with Bows in Her Hair, Looking Right” is a delicate pastel on paper portrait by Mary Cassatt, an artist associated with the Impressionist movement. Created circa 1899, this work measures 55.88 by 44.45 cm and represents the portrait genre. The piece is currently located in a private collection.
The artwork portrays a young subject, presumably named Ellen, who draws the viewer’s attention with her innocent and gentle gaze directed towards the right. The artist has captured soft, flushed cheeks and bow-adorned, light hair with a touch of impressionistic flair that resonates in the pastel strokes and subtle color palette. A blue garment with frilled edges adorns the child, contributing to the overall tender and serene aura of the portrait. The background remains somewhat indistinct, allowing the viewer to focus entirely on the charm and immediacy of the young sitter’s appearance. With her name signed at the bottom of the portrait, Cassatt immortalizes the moment and the child with a sense of intimacy and warmth characteristic of her depictions of children and domestic settings.
