The artwork titled “Mrs. Robert Simpson Cassatt” is an oil painting created by the artist Mary Cassatt in 1873. As a work grounded in the Realism art movement, the genre of this piece is portraiture. The artwork holds the distinction of being held in a private collection, not readily accessible to the general public.
The artwork captures the essence of the subject with a dignified directness that is characteristic of the Realist approach. The figure depicted appears to be a mature woman, vested in a dark, patterned dress adorned with a white lace collar that adds a touch of sophistication to her ensemble. Her countenance is rendered with attentiveness to naturalistic detail, revealing a thoughtful expression that might suggest a mix of contemplation and resolve. The artist employs a subdued palette, allowing the play of light and shadow on the subject’s face and attire to evoke a sense of volume and texture.
The brushwork is both confident and nuanced, suggesting the artist’s mastery in representing human form and character. Tones of black and brown dominate the artwork, with shades of red and white providing contrast and focal interest, as seen in the adornments in her hair and the lace at her throat. The background is executed with less detail, directing the viewer’s attention entirely to the subject, which is the focal point of the work. Despite the passage of time since its creation, “Mrs. Robert Simpson Cassatt” endures as a testament to Mary Cassatt’s talent and the artistic values of her era.
