The artwork titled “Pattycake” was created by the artist Mary Cassatt in 1897, employing pastel as the medium. This piece is categorized within the genre of genre painting and is a representation of the Impressionist art movement. The artwork is housed at the Denver Art Museum (DAM) in Denver, Colorado, United States.
“Pattycake” by Mary Cassatt captures an intimate, tender moment between a caregiver and a child engaged in a familiar and playful activity. The composition of the artwork features soft, dappled strokes of pastel, which render the figures with a gentle, ethereal quality characteristic of Impressionism. Cassatt’s skill in portraying the light, texture, and color creates a sense of warmth and immediacy. It is evident that the artist has focused on the moment of connection between the two figures, which is central to the emotional resonance of the piece. The artwork reflects both the innocence of the child and the caring attentiveness of the adult, drawing the viewer into this shared moment of human interaction.
