“Little Girl in a Blue Armchair,” created by Mary Cassatt in 1878, is an oil on canvas painting that reflects the Impressionist movement. With dimensions of 89 by 129.5 centimeters, the genre of this artwork is classified as a portrait. It is currently housed in the National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, USA.
The artwork depicts a young girl lounging in a voluminous blue armchair, portraying a casual and intimate moment. Her relaxed posture and distant gaze suggest a moment of repose or introspection, evoking a sense of the private world of childhood. The girl is dressed in a white dress with a tartan sash and black shoes with red detail, highlighting her as the focal point against the soft, diffuse environment that typifies Impressionist paintings. The surrounding room is furnished with similar armchairs, their plush fabric adorned with a lively floral design that adds a vibrant yet soothing texture to the composition. A small dog is nestled comfortably in one of the chairs, contributing to the painting’s overall ambiance of domestic calm and leisure. Cassatt’s brushwork—fluid and confident—captures the interplay of light and shadow, contributing to the portrayal of both the physical space and the psychological nuances of the scene. The artwork embodies the Impressionist interest in the play of light, everyday life, and the cultivation of personal expression through art.
