Woman with a Red Zinnia (Revery)

Executed in oil on canvas, the work is a vertical, mid‑body portrait of a young red‑haired woman seated on a green bench in a landscaped park, holding a red zinnia with her right hand. The painting demonstrates Cassatt’s characteristic handling of light and color, with a muted mauve dress contrasting against the vivid blossom and background foliage. Rendered in 1891, the piece exemplifies impressionistic brushwork focused on intimate domestic and floral motifs.

It entered the National Gallery of Art’s collection through purchase by Chester Dale in 1926 and bequest by Dale in 1963.

Woman with a Red Zinnia (Revery) was painted by Mary Cassatt in 1891, with one source indicating the work was completed across 1891–1892. The provenance begins with a direct purchase from the artist by the Paris firm Durand-Ruel et Cie. The painting remained with the dealers until 25 October 1926, when it was sold to the New York collector Chester Dale (1883–1962).

Dale retained the canvas until his death, after which he bequeathed it in 1963 to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., where it has remained in the collection since.

Woman with a Red Zinnia (Revery) is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. The painting entered the museum's holdings through a bequest from Chester Dale, who originally purchased the work directly from the artist via the Parisian firm Durand-Ruel et Cie on October 25, 1926. Following Dale's death in 1962, the artwork was transferred to the gallery as part of his 1963 bequest. While specific inventory or accession numbers are not detailed in the available records, the work's provenance is clearly documented from its creation in 1891 through its acquisition by Dale and subsequent donation. The piece remains a permanent part of the National Gallery of Art's American painting collection.

Mary Cassatt's Woman with a Red Zinnia (Revery), painted in oil on canvas in 1892, presents a contemplative female figure. The portrait captures a woman in a moment of quiet introspection, holding a single red flower. Cassatt, an American artist active in France, frequently explored the private lives and experiences of women, and this work exemplifies her sensitive approach to such subjects, creating a serene and intimate atmosphere.

As an American expatriate who established herself in Paris, Mary Cassatt became a significant figure within the Impressionist movement. She exhibited alongside its principal artists after settling in France, adopting many of their stylistic innovations while maintaining her distinct focus on figural subjects. This painting reflects her engagement with contemporary artistic trends while also showcasing her particular dedication to representing the nuanced experiences of women in late 19th-century society.