Head of Francoise Looking Down (no.4) 1908

Mary Cassatt painted this portrait, Head of Francoise Looking Down, using watercolor on paper. The translucent quality of watercolor allows for soft, luminous effects, perfect for capturing the delicate features of a child. Notice how the washes of color blend seamlessly, creating a sense of depth and volume with minimal lines. Cassatt’s technique involves layering thin washes of pigment, allowing the white of the paper to shine through and give the painting its ethereal glow. Watercolor was a popular medium among Impressionist artists like Cassatt because it allowed for quick, spontaneous studies that captured fleeting moments of light and emotion. But its accessibility also allowed for the rise of amateur painting as a feminine accomplishment. The intimacy of the watercolor medium, with its modest scale and directness of touch, emphasizes the tenderness between artist and subject. By choosing this accessible material, Cassatt blurs the lines between professional and personal, challenging traditional notions of fine art and craft.