The artwork “Reine Lefebvre Holding a Nude Baby” was crafted by the artist Mary Cassatt between 1902 and 1903. Created during the Impressionist movement, the piece is an oil painting on canvas, measuring 57.15 cm in height and 67.94 cm in width. This work is categorized under the genre of genre painting, which commonly depicts scenes of everyday life.
In this tender portrayal, the artwork features a young woman with a serene expression holding a nude baby. The woman, presumably Reine Lefebvre, is depicted with dark, upswept hair, and wears a dress with a pattern of delicate spots. Her attire, with a glimpse of a red garment beneath, hints at a private, domestic setting, and the color accents create a warm contrast against the predominantly cool palette. The baby, shown in a state of candid innocence, is nestled comfortably in the woman’s arms, with one hand resting gently upon her shoulder, indicating a close bond between the two figures.
Cassatt’s brushwork is characteristic of the Impressionist style, with loose, visible strokes that capture the nuances of light and shadow, lending the figures a soft, almost ethereal quality. The background is rendered in subdued tones, drawing the viewer’s attention to the interaction of the subjects. The intimacy and everyday nature of the scene are hallmarks of Cassatt’s focus on the private and gentle moments of life, often emphasizing the theme of motherhood and the relationship between mothers and their children.
