The artwork titled “Portrait of Margaret Milligan Sloan (no.2)” is an exquisite piece by the renowned artist Mary Cassatt, dating back to 1893. Exemplifying the Impressionist art movement, Cassatt employed pastel as her medium to create this portrait. The artwork, measuring 81.28 cm in height and 63.5 cm in width, is currently a part of a private collection. It falls within the genre of portraiture, capturing the essence and character of its subject distinctively.
In the artwork, we witness a sensitive portrayal of a young girl, presumably Margaret Milligan Sloan. She is dressed in a light blue dress with a frilled collar that seems soft under the gentle pastel application. Her sleeves are puffy, catching the light and displaying the varied hues and strokes characteristic of Impressionist technique. The young girl’s facial expression is poignant, with her gaze not making direct contact with the viewer, but rather seeming contemplative, as if lost in her own thoughts. The dreamy quality of her eyes and the delicate rendering of her features showcase Cassatt’s ability to convey emotion and personality through her art.
A striking contrast is established with the background that consists of deeper, more mysterious tones. There is a discernible object to the left—an intricately decorated blue container or vase that stands atop a piece of furniture, adding to the composition’s depth and richness. Furthermore, the young girl’s hands gently grasp an orange object, perhaps a fruit, which introduces a pop of warm color against her cool-toned dress.
Overall, the artwork embodies the impressionistic interest in capturing the effects of light and color, while also portraying the intimate and tender moments of everyday life. Cassatt’s “Portrait of Margaret Milligan Sloan (no.2)” remains a captivating example of her profound sensitivity to her subjects and her mastery in the medium of pastel.
