The artwork titled “Woman in a Black Hat and a Raspberry Pink Costume” was crafted by the artist Mary Cassatt in the year 1900. This piece is a portrait made with pastel on paper, a medium Cassatt skillfully handled. As part of the Impressionism movement, the artwork exemplifies the style’s characteristics and is classified as a portrait genre. Currently, the artwork is held in a private collection.
In the artwork, the subject is a woman depicted with a soft, almost introspective gaze. She dons a vivid raspberry pink costume, which suggests a kind of gentle elegance characteristic of the time. The attire is detailed with subtle highlights and shadowing that capture the folds and form. The woman’s black hat is a prominent feature, its broad brim casting a shadow over her forehead that softly gradients into a warm light, revealing her youthful face. Cassatt’s use of lively brushstrokes imbues the work with a sense of immediacy and intimacy, while the background, rendered in warm hues, complements the subject’s complexion and the outfit’s vibrant tones. The impressionistic approach is evident through the loose and expressive technique, emphasizing the artist’s interest in capturing the essence of the moment rather than meticulous detail.
