The artwork titled “Madame Meerson and Her Daughter” is a creation of the artist Mary Cassatt dating back to approximately 1899. Executed in pastel, which is the medium employed, the piece is a fine illustration of the Impressionist art movement, renowned for its vivid depiction of light and movement as if it were a fleeting moment captured on canvas. The dimensions of this portrait measure 59.69 cm in height by 73.03 cm in width.
In the artwork, two figures are portrayed, presumably Madame Meerson and her daughter, who share a sense of intimacy and familial connection. The composition of the portrait focuses on the closeness between the two, highlighting their physical resemblance and emotional bond. The brushstrokes and color palette are typical of Impressionism, with soft, hazy outlines and a gentle interplay of colors that suggest warmth and depth. The pastel medium allows for a delicate and subtle blend of hues, creating a texture that almost appears to be in motion.
Their gazes do not meet the viewer; instead, they appear lost in their world, contributing to the painting’s intimate atmosphere. The facial expressions are rendered with a sense of realism, suggesting the personalities and inner lives of the subjects. The technique, though impressionistic, captures details of the fashion and hairstyles of the era, rooting the portrait in its historical context. The choice of pastel contributes to the tenderness and muted feeling of the moment, making the artwork a tender reflection of a mother-daughter relationship at the turn of the 20th century.
