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The Fitting

Mary Cassatt

1890

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century

Dominant colour

The Fitting is a 1890 ink by Mary Cassatt, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Mary Cassatt
When & what style?: 1890 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

In the painting, a woman is shown sitting in a chair, facing away from the viewer. She is wearing a long, dark dress with a high neckline and long sleeves. Her hair is pulled back, and she has a small hat on her head. The woman's face is not visible, as she is turned away from the viewer. The background of the painting is a warm, golden color, which contrasts with the cool tones of the woman's dress. The overall effect is one of quiet contemplation, as if the woman is lost in thought. The artist's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and volume in the painting, drawing the viewer's eye to the woman's figure. If you're interested in learning more about this technique, you might want to explore the work of artists who have used it, such as Leonardo da Vinci.