The Coiffure c. 1891

Editor: We’re looking at Mary Cassatt’s "The Coiffure," created around 1891 using pencil and pastel. It’s a fairly small drawing, and I’m immediately drawn to the intimacy of the subject – a woman engrossed in her toilette. What strikes you most about this piece? Curator: The compelling aspect of "The Coiffure" lies in its exploration of form through line and mass. Note the intricate web of hatching that defines the figure. The density and direction of these lines model the contours of the body, creating a sculptural effect. Do you see how the absence of colour redirects attention to the abstract structure of the composition? Editor: I do, the density of the lines creates almost a shadow on her back and in her hair. So you’re saying it’s more about how she depicts the figure than who she depicts? Curator: Precisely. Consider the compositional balance. The figure occupies the majority of the space, yet the negative space around her head creates a sense of airiness. Cassatt masterfully juxtaposes areas of intense detail with passages of pure suggestion, inviting the viewer to complete the image in their mind. The visual rhythms established through the mark-making, contribute to its structural coherence. Editor: That makes a lot of sense. I was initially thinking about the subject matter, but focusing on the technique reveals another layer of meaning. Thanks for helping me see that! Curator: Absolutely, it’s by carefully deconstructing formal elements that one comes to a complete understanding. This shift helps us recognize that a drawing's subject isn't just its narrative but the dynamic between form and idea.