The artwork titled “Woman Standing, Holding a Fan” is a creation by the artist Mary Cassatt, dating from the period 1878 to 1879. It is an exemplar of the Impressionist movement, to which Cassatt made significant contributions, particularly in the genre of portraiture. The painting exists within a private collection and reflects the distinctive elements of Impressionism through its style, brushwork, and use of color.
In the artwork, the viewer observes a woman standing with a slight inclination forward, her posture suggesting a moment captured in time. She is portrayed holding a fan, which is partially opened and resting against her body. The color palette is dominated by a luminous shade of yellow used for the woman’s dress, which is vivid and striking against the softer, less defined background hues. The brushstrokes are loose and visible, imparting a sense of movement and impermanence, a hallmark of the Impressionist technique.
The woman’s head is modestly bowed, directing the viewer’s attention to the delicate interactions of her fingers with the fabric of her dress. Light appears to dance across the surface of her gown, emphasizing the contours and folds of the fabric. Her face, captured in profile, is rendered with a softer touch, allowing for an intimate connection with her serene and contemplative expression. The background, abstract and indistinct, provides a contrast to the careful detail of her figure, highlighting her as the focal point of the composition.
Overall, the artwork embodies the essence of Impressionism with its exploration of light, texture, and the subtleties of human expression, presenting a moment of everyday elegance frozen in time.
