The artwork titled “Portrait of Mrs Havemeyer and Her Daughter Electra” was created by Mary Cassatt in 1895. As an exemplar of the Impressionist movement, this pastel on paper captures the essence of its era. Characteristic of the genre of portrait, this artwork depicts its subjects with a delicate intimacy that is typical of Cassatt’s oeuvre. Currently, the portrait is housed at the Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, Vermont, USA.
The artwork presents an affectionate moment between Mrs. Havemeyer and her young daughter Electra. Mrs. Havemeyer, on the right, is portrayed in three-quarter profile, her face expressing a serene and loving gaze directed towards her daughter. Her attire appears to be of a light hue, possibly tan or cream, with a collar or scarf draped around her neck, hinting at the fashion of the time period.
Electra, her daughter, is depicted on the left side of the portrait. She appears younger, her face presented en face, gazing directly at the viewer with a calm and contemplative expression. Electra’s dress is ornate with frills and stripes, rendered in soft pinks and whites, adding a textural dimension to the artwork. The tactile quality of the pastel medium allows for a gentle blending of colors, creating a sense of volume and a subtle interplay of light and shadow.
The background is understated, a dark expanse that serves to foreground the figures, highlighting their interaction. A hint of a red upholstered chair adds a richness to the composition, situating the figures in a domestic and possibly opulent setting.
Mary Cassatt’s use of pastel grounds the portrait in the luminous and vibrant color palette typical of the Impressionist movement, while the candid portrayal of the mother-daughter relationship aligns with her thematic interest in the private and affectionate moments of everyday life.
