Artwork

A Woman and a Girl Driving

A Woman and a Girl Driving, by Mary Cassatt, oil, 1891
A Woman and a Girl Driving, by Mary Cassatt, oil, 1891

A Woman and a Girl Driving is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Mary Cassatt. It dates from 1891 and is held in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

A Woman and a Girl Driving is an 1891 oil painting by Mary Cassatt, created during her association with the Impressionist movement in France. The work captures a serene, intimate scene of a woman and a young girl in a carriage.

Subject & Meaning

The painting portrays a woman, likely a mother, gently guiding a carriage with a young girl by her side. The scene conveys a sense of quiet, everyday intimacy, reflecting Cassatt's interest in depicting women's private and familial relationships.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil paint, the work features Cassatt's Impressionist approach, evident in the soft, natural lighting and the emphasis on capturing a modern, everyday moment. The lush green background and the figures' attire are rendered with characteristic Impressionist attention to light and color.

History & Provenance

Created in 1891, the painting was part of Cassatt's contributions to Impressionist exhibitions, often alongside works by Edgar Degas. It is now part of the permanent collection at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Context

This piece is characteristic of Cassatt's thematic focus on the lives of women and children, set against the backdrop of late 19th-century French modernity. It reflects her unique perspective as an American artist in France.

Legacy

A Woman and a Girl Driving contributes to Cassatt's legacy as a premier painter of intimate, modern life scenes, particularly those highlighting the bonds between mothers and daughters. It remains a notable example of Impressionist art's ability to elevate everyday moments into compelling subjects.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Mary Cassatt

Artist

Mary Cassatt

Mary Stevenson Cassatt (; May 22, 1844 – June 14, 1926) was an American painter and printmaker.