The artwork titled “Lady with a Fan (Portrait of Anne Charlotte Gailld)” is an oil on canvas painting by the renowned artist Mary Cassatt, dating back to circa 1880. Measuring 81.28 by 64.77 centimeters, this piece is a fine example of the Impressionist movement and serves as a portrait genre representation.
The portrait depicts a young woman seated in a three-quarter view, wearing an elegant, off-the-shoulder pink gown adorned with floral accents. She holds a large hand fan adorned with a delicate orient-inspired floral design, which occupies a significant portion of the composition’s foreground. The subject’s facial expression is demure, with downcast eyes and a soft, thoughtful gaze, lending an air of introspective grace to the composition.
Cassatt’s brushwork exhibits the characteristic looseness and vibrancy of Impressionism, capturing the transient effects of light and color. The palette is dominated by soft pastels, and the application of paint creates a sense of texture and movement, especially visible in the rendering of the dress’s fabric and the embellishments. The background remains loosely defined, allowing the viewer’s focus to remain on the elegance of the subject and the intricate detail of the fan. The subtle use of light and shadow in the portrait enhances the three-dimensionality of the figure and the finery she adorns.
In summary, the artwork is a testament to Mary Cassatt’s skill in portraiture and her contribution to the Impressionist canon, sensitively encapsulating the grace and refined beauty of the era’s feminine ideals.
