The artwork titled “Mother and Sara Admiring the Baby,” created by artist Mary Cassatt in 1901, is an oil painting on canvas that stands as a quintessential piece of the Impressionism movement. Measuring 96.84 by 73.99 cm, this genre painting is currently held in a private collection. The painting vividly captures the intimate moment between a mother, her older child, and a baby.
In the artwork, we see a mother clad in a bright red-orange dress with a pattern of small black motifs, her dark hair swept up, holding a baby tenderly in her arms. The baby, dressed in a white and pale blue garment, appears to be gazing outwards, possibly at the viewer, with an expression of curiosity. Next to the mother, there is an older child, possibly her daughter Sara, gently pressing her cheek against the mother’s arm. This child, with her blonde hair pinned back with a blue barrette, is adorned in a lightly colored dress with yellow floral patterns.
The intensity of the red-orange fabric of the mother’s dress contrasts with the soft, more subdued hues of the children’s clothing. This striking use of color is typical of the Impressionist style, seeking to capture the effects of light and color rather than focusing on meticulous detail. The brushstrokes are visible and dynamic, creating a sense of texture and vibrancy that brings the figures to life. The background suggests a domestic setting, with hints of foliage visible through what appears to be a window, adding depth to the composition and emphasizing the close, indoor environment where this tender moment unfolds.
Cassatt’s work often explores themes of motherhood and the private, everyday lives of women, as exemplified by this painting, wherein the tender and affectionate relationship between the mother and her children is poignantly depicted.
