Self-Portrait c. 1880

Mary Cassatt made this self-portrait using watercolor on paper. Watercolor is a medium that demands spontaneity. The artist's touch is immediately evident. In this piece, Cassatt's engagement with impressionism is clear, through her concentration on light and color. The magic lies in the transparent nature of watercolor; the white of the paper shines through each layer, creating luminosity. Note how Cassatt allows the paint to bleed and blend. She uses loose brushstrokes to create a sense of movement. The thinness of the medium means less labor. In contrast to traditional painting techniques that required layering and blending of oil paints, here Cassatt captures a fleeting moment with minimal intervention. This emphasizes the importance of the artist's vision and skill. By employing this technique, Cassatt subverts conventional notions of art-making, elevating the medium of watercolor. Through process and material, Cassatt questions the established hierarchy in the art world, celebrating the immediacy and expressiveness of watercolor.