Girl Arranging Her Hair (1886) by Mary Cassatt

Girl Arranging Her Hair - Mary Cassatt - 1886

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Artwork Information

TitleGirl Arranging Her Hair
ArtistMary Cassatt
Date1886
MediumOil on Canvas
Dimensions62.23 x 74.93 cm
Art MovementImpressionism
Current LocationNational Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

About Girl Arranging Her Hair

“Girl Arranging Her Hair” is an oil on canvas artwork by Mary Cassatt, dating back to 1886 and firmly rooted in the Impressionist movement. Measuring 62.23 by 74.93 cm, this portrait is currently housed at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Characterized by its impressionistic style, the artwork captures a moment of intimate personal grooming.

The artwork depicts a young girl caught in the midst of fixing her hair, her gaze directed away, creating a sense of candidness and a snapshot-like quality. The subject’s cheek is touched by a rosy hue, echoing the warmth of the surrounding environment. Cassatt’s brushwork is evident in the flowing white garment worn by the girl, as well as in the textured background where floral patterns seem to emerge from rapid, dappled strokes. The composition is balanced and harmonious, with a use of light that accentuates the girl’s features and the drapery’s folds, demonstrating the artist’s skill in capturing the effect of natural light on her subject and surroundings. The presence of a blue vase on a piece of furniture adds a touch of color contrast, playing off the blue earrings and the soft tones of the attire and complexion.

The work is a fine example of Cassatt’s focus on the lives of women and children, reflecting both the daily rituals and the quiet moments that define human experience. The painting’s execution, particularly the loose brushstrokes and the attention to light and movement, is characteristic of the Impressionist movement, which sought to depict life with immediacy and vibrancy. In this portrait, Cassatt conveys a moment of everyday elegance with a sensitivity that is both personal and universal.

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