The artwork “Portrait of Charles Dikran Kelekian” is an expressive piece created by Mary Cassatt in 1910. This portrait, made with pastel on paper, is an embodiment of the Impressionist movement, which Cassatt was part of. The genre, being a portrait, focuses on the individual characterization of the subject. This notable work is currently housed at the Walters Art Museum located in Baltimore, MD, US.
The artwork depicts a young boy formally dressed in a suit with a tie, and a large brimmed hat rests on his head, casting a shadow over his youthful face. The boy’s eyes gaze directly at the viewer, with a subtle yet poignant expression. The background is rendered in soft hues, primarily in a harmonious lavender shade that contrasts and accentuates the figure. Cassatt’s masterful use of pastels gives the portrait a tender and luminous quality, with gentle strokes and a pastel palette that capture the delicate features and the essence of her subject. The brushwork is loose and dynamic, a hallmark of the Impressionist movement, which sought to capture the fleeting qualities of light and momentary impressions.
