The Mirror
1891
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1891
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Mirror, created by Mary Cassatt around 1891, is a drypoint on laid paper. The painting features a woman sitting in front of a mirror, with a child on her lap. The woman is dressed in a dark dress, while the child wears a light-colored outfit. The mirror reflects the woman's back, and the overall atmosphere of the painting is one of quiet intimacy. A notable detail in the painting is the way the light falls on the subjects, creating a sense of depth and dimensionality. The use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark, adds to the overall mood of the painting. If you're interested in learning more about the artist behind this work, you might want to look up Mary Cassatt.
