Young Girl Holding a Loose Bouquet 1880

Mary Cassatt created this painting, Young Girl Holding a Loose Bouquet, using oil paints and loose brushwork. Rather than a polished academic style, Cassatt’s focus on immediacy, and the fleeting moment, connects her to the Impressionists. The vigorous application of paint creates a textured surface, with colors blended wet-on-wet, suggesting the softness of skin and the delicacy of flower petals. Cassatt built up the image through layers of strokes, allowing the white of the canvas to peek through, particularly around the edges, which enhances the painting’s luminous quality. The seemingly casual approach, however, required significant skill. Cassatt's choices about color, composition, and brushwork convey a sense of spontaneity and modernity. She was part of a generation that questioned traditional notions of beauty and representation, instead embracing individuality and the present moment. The visible labor and expressive handling of materials elevate this study of a young girl and a bouquet into a poignant statement about the nature of seeing and feeling.