Who painted Alexander J. Cassatt?

Alexander J. Cassatt was painted by Mary Cassatt in 1890.

Where can I see Alexander J. Cassatt?

Alexander J. Cassatt is held by Detroit Institute of Arts.

What movement is Alexander J. Cassatt?

Alexander J. Cassatt is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Alexander J. Cassatt?

Museum-quality prints of Alexander J. Cassatt are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Alexander J. Cassatt

Mary Cassatt , 1890

Alexander J. Cassatt is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Mary Cassatt. It dates from 1890 and is held in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts.

About this work

Overview

In 1890 Mary Cassatt executed an oil portrait of her brother, Alexander J. Casslet, depicting him seated beside a window. The canvas is held by the Detroit Institute of Arts and exemplifies Cassatt’s engagement with the Impressionist idiom, marked by a lightened palette and an emphasis on everyday presence.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter, Alexander J. Casslet, appears in a dark suit with neatly arranged red‑brown hair and a modest mustache, holding a folded paper in his right hand. The composition suggests a moment of quiet contemplation, reflecting Cassatt’s broader interest in intimate family scenes and the personal connections that shape private life.

Technique & Style

Cassatt employs loose, visible brushwork, particularly evident on the jacket and chair, creating a sense of immediacy. The background beyond the window dissolves into soft greens and grays, while the interior walls remain plain, allowing the figure to dominate. The handling of paint conveys a rapid, almost sketch‑like execution typical of late‑19th‑century Impressionism.

History & Provenance

After its completion, the portrait entered the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts, where it remains on display. Cassatt, an American expatriate active in Paris, maintained close ties with the Impressionist circle, and this work reflects her participation in their exhibitions during the 1880s and 1890s.

Context

Created during a period when Cassatt was closely associated with Edgar Degas and other Impressionists, the painting aligns with her reputation for portraying women’s domestic spheres. Though the subject is male, the work continues her exploration of familial bonds, situating the portrait within her larger oeuvre of socially nuanced, observational pieces.