Artwork
Woman in a Red Bodice and Her Child
Woman in a Red Bodice and Her Child is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Mary Cassatt. It dates from 1901 and is held in the collection of the Brooklyn Museum.
About this work
Overview
Woman in a Red Bodice and Her Child is a 1901 oil painting depicting an intimate scene between a mother and her child.
Subject & Meaning
The painting shows a woman with dark hair, wearing a red bodice, holding a baby. The woman's back is turned to the viewer, while the baby gazes directly out. Their reflection is visible in a mirror before them, adding a layer of depth to the composition.
Technique & Style
The artist employed oil paint to create a warm and intimate atmosphere, with the red bodice standing out against a muted background. The use of a mirror to capture the subjects' reflection adds complexity to the scene.
History & Provenance
Created in 1901, the painting is now part of the Brooklyn Museum's collection. It is characteristic of the artist's Impressionist style, developed through friendships and associations with other artists of the movement.
Context
The work reflects the artist's focus on capturing the tender relationships between mothers and children, a recurring theme in their oeuvre.
Artist & collection
Artist
Mary Stevenson Cassatt (; May 22, 1844 – June 14, 1926) was an American painter and printmaker.
