“The Cast-Off Doll,” created by Suzanne Valadon in 1921 in Paris, France, is an oil on canvas painting. The artwork, measuring 129 x 83 cm, belongs to the Post-Impressionism art movement and is classified under genre painting. It is currently housed at the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) in Washington, DC, US.
The artwork portrays an intimate domestic scene featuring two women. One woman, depicted semi-nude and seated on a red sofa, holds a mirror in her right hand while partially covered with white fabric. The second woman, dressed in dark attire, appears to be assisting the first woman with the fabric, possibly helping her dress or undress. The expressions and postures of the figures convey a sense of personal moments and shared intimacy. In the foreground, an intricately patterned floor mat adds texture to the setting, while a doll lies discarded, suggesting a narrative element to the genre scene. Valadon’s use of bold colors and defined brushstrokes exemplifies the characteristics of Post-Impressionist style, focusing on vivid descriptions of everyday life.
