Artwork
Child in a Straw Hat
Child in a Straw Hat is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Mary Cassatt. It dates from 1886 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
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- Inscribed:lower right: Mary Cassatt
About this work
Technique & Style
The background is a softly brushed beige field that recedes neutrally, directing attention to the child's quiet, inward-turned expression.
The work is an oil painting on canvas executed in 1886 by Mary Cassatt. The vertical format depicts a child in three-quarter view, standing to mid-thigh with hands clasped before her. The figure wears a gray blouse over a white shirt with short sleeves, her bare arms rendered with delicate modeling.
A straw hat sits atop her head, its woven texture suggested through loose, rhythmic brushstrokes that contrast with the more blended handling of the face and hands. The background is a softly brushed beige field that recedes neutrally, directing attention to the child's quiet, inward-turned expression. The palette is restrained, relying on muted grays, whites, and ochres, punctuated by the warm straw of the hat. The composition's quiet balance and understated mood exemplify Cassatt's restrained yet psychologically attentive approach to portraiture.
History & Provenance
Executed in 1886, this oil on canvas portrait by Mary Cassatt entered the collection of Parisian dealer Ambroise Vollard. Upon Vollard's death, the work passed by descent to his heir, Chrétien de Gallea (also identified as Mme de Galea), who retained ownership in Paris. In January 1965, the dealer Edward Speelman facilitated the sale of the painting to the American collector Paul Mellon of Upperville, Virginia.
Mellon subsequently donated the artwork to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., in 1983, where it remains in the permanent collection. Historical records regarding the transfer from Vollard's estate to Gallea rely on information provided by Speelman to Mellon at the time of the 1965 acquisition.
Child in a Straw Hat is held by the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., where it has been part of the permanent collection since 1983. The work was donated by Paul Mellon after he purchased it in January 1965 from the Paris dealer Chrétien de Gallea, a successor in the legacy of Ambroise Vollard, whose collection originally owned the painting. Its provenance therefore runs from Vollard to his heirs, then to the dealer, and finally to Mellon before the gift to the museum.
The canvas, executed by Mary Cassatt in 1886, remains in the gallery's holdings and no exhibition records beyond its display in the museum's collection are noted in the available documentation.
Overview
Mary Cassatt, an American artist living in France, created Child in a Straw Hat around 1886. This oil on canvas painting exemplifies her frequent focus on the intimate world of women and children. The portrait captures a young girl, showcasing Cassatt's characteristic interest in domestic life and the private moments of childhood.
Subject & Meaning
The painting features a young girl adorned with a broad straw hat, its brim casting a soft shadow across her face. Cassatt often depicted children engaged in everyday activities, and this work reflects her consistent exploration of childhood and maternal bonds. The simple background directs attention to the figure, emphasizing the child's presence within her private world.
Context
Cassatt's artistic development was significantly influenced by her association with the Impressionists in France, particularly after befriending Edgar Degas and exhibiting with the group. Her choice to concentrate on domestic scenes, especially those involving women and children, distinguished her contributions to the movement. This focus allowed her to explore the nuanced experiences of women's private lives during the late 19th century.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Mary Stevenson Cassatt (; May 22, 1844 – June 14, 1926) was an American painter and printmaker.
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