Girl with a Banjo 1894

Mary Cassatt’s “Girl with a Banjo”, now in a private collection, presents a young woman in a moment of quiet concentration, brought to life through soft pastels. The composition is structured by contrasting colour blocks and directional strokes. Cassatt uses the structural elements of the banjo to create a composition with strong diagonals, leading our eye through the composition. The banjo's circular form is echoed in the curve of the girl's face, creating harmony between the figure and the instrument. The loose application of pastel creates a sense of immediacy. This technique, along with the close framing of the subject, creates a connection with the viewer. Cassatt destabilizes traditional portraiture, inviting a more intimate connection with her subjects. The work provides an evolving site for interpretation as we come to realize that its visual language is steeped in cultural and philosophical discourse.