Sara in a Large Flowered Hat Looking Right Holding Her Dog 1902

Mary Cassatt made this pastel, Sara in a Large Flowered Hat Holding Her Dog, sometime in the late 19th century. The medium is pastel, and it’s all about the surface, the touch of the pastel stick on the paper. Look at the blue of the girl's bow, it’s such a strong contrast to the pink of her dress. Cassatt is all about juxtaposing different colors to make them vibrate. The marks are raw and visible, and the drawing underneath feels really present. You can see the quick, scratchy strokes building up the image. There’s something about the process that feels so immediate. And the dog! It's so fuzzy and alive, you can almost feel the texture of its fur. The way Cassatt captures the dog’s essence with just a few strokes is incredible. She reminds me a little of Berthe Morisot, her contemporary, because they both approached domestic scenes with a fresh and modern eye. Both of their work embraces ambiguity, and the beauty of capturing a fleeting moment.