The artwork titled “Self Portrait” is a creation by the artist Mary Cassatt, dating back to circa 1880. It is a watercolor on paper and represents a piece within the Impressionist movement, characterizing it as a self-portrait genre. The Impressionist style is evident in the loose brushwork and the play of light and shadow which imbues the piece with a sense of immediacy and intimacy.
The artwork portrays the artist herself, as indicated by the term “self-portrait.” One can observe the artist wearing a hat with a soft brim, tilted at an angle that gives the portrait a casual and relaxed feel. The use of watercolors affords a translucency and fluidity to the composition, with a predominance of warm yellows in the background that contrasts with the darker tones of her attire. Cassatt’s face is rendered with delicate strokes, capturing a thoughtful expression and introspective gaze that perhaps reflects the artist’s mood or personality at the time of the painting. The brushstrokes are confident and effectively capture the texture of her clothing and the contours of her face, despite the inherent challenges of the medium. The signature “M.C.” can be seen in the lower portion of the composition, affirming Cassatt’s authorship of the work.
