“Mother about to Wash her Sleepy Child” is an artwork by Mary Cassatt dating back to 1880. The medium used is oil on canvas, with the piece being a fine example of the Impressionist movement. The artwork spans dimensions of 65 by 100 centimeters and classifies as genre painting. It is currently housed at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in Los Angeles, California.
The artwork depicts an intimate moment between a mother and her child in a domestic setting. The mother is seated, holding her drowsy child in her lap while preparing to wash them. The child appears relaxed and heavy with sleep, resting against the mother’s figure. The mother’s affectionate gaze is directed towards her child, highlighting the tender relationship between the two.
Cassatt’s masterful use of the Impressionist style is evident in the loose brushwork and delicate interplay of light and shadow across the figures and their surroundings. The soft pastel color palette contributes to the tranquil and affectionate atmosphere of the scene. The impression of spontaneity and the candid portrayal of everyday life are hallmarks of the genre and Impressionist movement to which Cassatt contributed significantly.
