Who painted Mademoiselle Louise Riesener in a Hat?

Mademoiselle Louise Riesener in a Hat was painted by Berthe Morisot in 1878.

Where can I see Mademoiselle Louise Riesener in a Hat?

Mademoiselle Louise Riesener in a Hat is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Mademoiselle Louise Riesener in a Hat?

Mademoiselle Louise Riesener in a Hat is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Mademoiselle Louise Riesener in a Hat

Berthe Morisot , 1878

Mademoiselle Louise Riesener in a Hat is a drawing by the Impressionist artist Berthe Morisot. It dates from 1878 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Mademoiselle Louise Riesener in a Hat is a portrait drawing by Mary Cassatt, depicting Louise Riesener, daughter of artist Léon Riesener and a close friend of the artist, in a bust-length profile.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, Louise Riesener, is portrayed wearing a black jacket and white blouse, with a prominent black hat. The hat signifies her affiliation with Paris's upper-middle class, where outdoor public appearances for women of this status invariably included hat-wearing.

Technique & Style

The drawing features quick, soft strokes, akin to sketching, which capture the play of light on the subject's clothing. While the piece is a pastel, a technique Cassatt frequently employed (producing nearly 200 pastels in her career), the description notably highlights a style reminiscent of rapid, expressive rendering.

History & Provenance

Louise Riesener's connection to the artistic community is underscored by her father, Léon Riesener, also an artist, and her friendship with Cassatt, situating the work within a circle of artistic acquaintances.

Context

Created within Cassatt's prolific output of pastel portraits and figure studies, this work reflects the artist's focus on capturing contemporary women's lives, often emphasizing the nuances of their daily attire and social standing.

Artist & collection

Artist

Berthe Morisot

Berthe Marie Pauline Morisot (French: ; 14 January 1841 – 2 March 1895) was a French painter, printmaker and a member of the circle of painters in Paris who became known as the Impressionists.