Mary Cassatt’s “Woman Reading,” created in the period of 1878-1879, is a shining example of Impressionist portraiture. This work, masterfully rendered in oil on canvas, beautifully encapsulates the spirit of the Impressionist movement to which Cassatt was a significant contributor. The artwork is currently housed in the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, Nebraska, USA, where it undoubtedly continues to enchant visitors with its portrayal of a seemingly serene moment in a woman’s daily life.
The artwork presents a woman engrossed in her reading material. She is depicted in profile, absorbing the content of the pages before her. The soft light and gentle brushstrokes characteristic of Impressionist works imbue the piece with an atmosphere of intimacy and tranquility. Draped in a light-colored dress detailed with delicate floral accents, the woman sits against a vague, loosely rendered background that suggests an indoor setting without drawing attention away from the subject herself. Her headwear—a bonnet adorned with a bow—complements the color palette of her attire and adds to the domestic elegance of the scene.
Cassatt’s deft use of color and light, as well as her focus on everyday subjects, aligns perfectly with Impressionist ideals, aiming to capture a moment in time with an immediacy that was revolutionary for its era. As reflected in this artwork, Cassatt’s oeuvre often explored themes of private and social spheres, focusing on the lives and intimate moments of women, thereby contributing an important narrative to the fabric of Impressionist art.
