“Mrs. Gardner Cassatt in Black,” an artwork by Mary Cassatt created in 1880, reflects the principles of Impressionism, both in technique and sensibility. The oil on canvas portrait belongs to the genre of portraiture and is currently housed at the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) in Baltimore, Maryland, United States.
The artwork portrays a woman dressed elegantly in black attire, including a fashionable hat adorned with what appears to be a feather. Her pose is reflective and subdued, offering a glimpse into the quiet sophistication that characterized the era. Cassatt’s brushwork, with its fluid and somewhat loose application of paint, is indicative of the Impressionistic style that sought to capture the play of light over surfaces, and the transient moments of everyday life. The woman’s expression is thoughtful and introspective, perhaps indicative of a moment of private contemplation, and Cassatt’s talent in rendering the textures of the dress and hat contrast subtly with the softer, more ethereal treatment of the subject’s face.
Mary Cassatt has managed to create a sense of immediacy and intimacy in this work, inviting viewers to ponder the story behind the woman’s thoughtful demeanor. The light and shadow play across the figure creating a dynamic composition, while the soft background contrasts with the detailed execution of the woman’s costume. Through this portrait, Cassatt captures the elegance and inner life of her subject, contributing to our understanding of the social and fashion sensibilities of the period.
