The artwork entitled “Sara Looking towards the Right” was created by the artist Mary Cassatt around 1901. Cassatt, known for her pivotal role in the Impressionist movement, chose pastel as the medium for this work. The genre of the portrait is consistent with Cassatt’s focus on intimate, personal moments and frequent depictions of women and children. Although the Impressionism movement is often associated with landscapes and scenes of modern life, Cassatt’s contribution includes domestic interiors and portraits, adding a personal and emotive dimension to the movement. “Sara Looking towards the Right” is held in a private collection.
The pastel portrait is a charming depiction of a young child, positioned slightly off-center against a loosely sketched, neutral background. The child’s face is rendered with soft, warm hues, capturing the flush of youth and reflecting the tender approach Cassatt was celebrated for. The child has reddish-blond hair adorned with a white bow, her gaze directed thoughtfully to the right. The interplay of light and shadow on her face reveals the artist’s skillful use of the pastel medium, creating depth and dimension. The child’s attire, though not detailed extensively, suggests the fashion of the time, providing a hint of the era’s social and cultural context. The deliberate strokes and vibrant colors combined with the immediacy of expression characteristic of Impressionist work foster a connection between the subject and the viewer.
