“Lydia Crocheting in the Garden at Marly” is an oil on canvas painting created by the artist Mary Cassatt in the year 1880. This artwork, which belongs to the Impressionism movement, portrays a figure engaged in the act of crocheting. The dimensions of the portrait are 26 x 37 inches (66 x 94 cm). Currently, it is housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, New York, United States.
The artwork presents a poised woman, Lydia, engrossed in her crochet work. She is seated in a lush garden setting, which can be identified as Marly by the title. The garden appears to be in full bloom with an array of foliage and flowers in the background, creating a rich tapestry of greens, reds, and hints of other colors. Lydia is wearing a period-appropriate dress—a deep blue garment with delicate white ruffle accents. Her attire includes a wide-brimmed white bonnet that shields her face, lending the scene a serene and introspective quality. The sunlight seems to filter through the foliage, casting gentle highlights on her dress and hands.
The painting captures a moment of quietude, evoked through Cassatt’s signature Impressionist brush strokes, which imbue the scene with vibrancy and movement while simultaneously offering a snapshot of daily life during this era. The positioning of Lydia and the angle of view suggest a candid moment caught in time, a characteristic approach of the Impressionist movement, which sought to capture the ephemeral aspects of life.
