The artwork titled “Portrait of a Lady” is attributed to the artist Mary Cassatt and dated circa 1890. Crafted using the medium of pastel, it reflects the aesthetic principles of the Impressionist movement. The genre to which this piece belongs is portraiture. Currently, the artwork resides within a private collection.
In the artwork, the viewer encounters a portrayal of a woman rendered with the soft, diffuse edges characteristic of pastel works. There’s an intimacy and immediacy in the composition, as is often found in Cassatt’s portraits. The sitter is positioned in a three-quarter view against a muted background that provides little distraction from the figure herself. Her attire suggests the fashion of the late 19th century with a high-collared blouse, and her hair is arranged in an updo, which conveys a sense of the sitter’s elegance and poise.
The application of color is gentle yet deliberate, with the pink hues of the subject’s garment contrasting subtly with the neutral tones of the backdrop. The artist’s use of light and shadow on the face of the lady imparts a sense of volume and adds to the dimensionality of the work. The subject’s expression is serene and contemplative, capturing the viewer’s attention and inviting speculation about her thoughts and personality. Cassatt’s skillful handling of pastel, along with her ability to convey the character of her subject, is evident, lending the artwork both visual appeal and psychological depth, true to the Impressionist movement’s focus on capturing the nuances of human experience.
