The artwork titled “Mother and Child,” created by the artist Mary Cassatt around 1908, is a poignant example of genre painting executed in pastel. This piece is a part of the Impressionism movement, characterized by its light brushwork and emphasis on the depiction of light and its changing qualities. Measuring 67.95 cm by 55.88 cm, the pastel work is presently held in a private collection.
Delicate and emotive, the artwork captures the tender relationship between a mother and her child. The composition is intimate, with the figures positioned closely together, and the child appears nestled into the mother’s form. The artist’s use of pastel allows for soft textures and a gentle palette, evoking warmth and affection. The mother gazes downward, a contemplative expression on her face, further highlighting the emotional connection with her child. The background is muted, bringing the figures to the foreground and emphasizing the theme of maternal love that Cassatt frequently explored in her work. The gentle strokes and the unfinished feel typical of Impressionism contribute to the sense of a fleeting moment captured in time.
