Artwork
Smiling Margot Wearing a Ruffled Bonnet
Smiling Margot Wearing a Ruffled Bonnet is a graphite drawing by Mary Cassatt. It dates from 1902 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:recto: lower right in graphite: M.C; upper center in blue crayon by unknown hand: 131 [inverted]; verso: none
- Markings
- Marked:none
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1902, this drawing by Mary Cassatt depicts a young girl seated sideways in a chair, her head adorned with a ruffled bonnet. Executed in graphite over a red chalk underlayer on wove paper, the work captures a fleeting, informal moment with a gentle, smiling expression.
Subject & Meaning
The figure is a child, rendered with a calm, slightly turned gaze that suggests quiet confidence. Cassatt’s choice of a domestic setting and the intimate pose reflects her longstanding interest in portraying the everyday lives of women and children, emphasizing tenderness and personal connection.
Technique & Style
Cassatt employed a loose, rapid line quality, layering graphite atop a red chalk base to model light and shadow. The shading is soft, achieving a subtle gradation reminiscent of sfumato, while the paper’s minor tears and stains hint at the work’s sketch-like, on‑the‑spot nature.
History & Provenance
An American expatriate active in the French art scene, Cassatt was closely linked to the Impressionists and maintained a professional relationship with Edgar Degas. The drawing bears her initials, "M.C.," and likely originated as a quick study during her later period, around the turn of the twentieth century.
Context
During the early 1900s Cassatt continued to explore themes of youth and motherhood, often using small-scale drawings to record observations for larger compositions. This piece aligns with her broader oeuvre, which consistently foregrounds the private sphere of family life within the evolving modern world.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Mary Stevenson Cassatt (; May 22, 1844 – June 14, 1926) was an American painter and printmaker.
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