“Portrait of the Artist’s Mother,” created by Mary Cassatt between 1889 and 1890, is a work of art that resides within the Impressionist movement. The genre of the artwork is a portrait, illustrating a thoughtful and personal examination of the artist’s own mother.
The artwork presents a figure presumably seated, embodying a relaxed yet reflective pose. Her attire suggests a blend of comfort and refinement, with drapery that falls gently over her form. The color scheme is relatively muted with an emphasis on earthy tones, punctuated by a hint of color from the flowers in the background, which can be seen as both a compositional and tonal counterpoint to the more subdued colors of the figure and immediate surroundings.
The artist has employed light brushstrokes and a softness of form typical of the Impressionist style, conveying not just the physical likeness of her mother but also a sense of the emotional and psychological presence. The portrait exudes an air of intimacy and tenderness, indicating the close relationship between the artist and her mother. The artwork, therefore, stands not merely as a representation of a person but as a manifestation of the bond and affection shared between family members—a theme recurrent in Cassatt’s oeuvre.
