Lady with a Bowl of Violets 1910

Lilla Cabot Perry painted this Lady with a Bowl of Violets with oil on canvas. Look closely at the way she approaches the paint, it’s so soft. Perry’s process here really leans into the subtle harmonies of color and the way light defines form. The texture is smooth, almost velvety, and the colors are muted, creating this hazy, dreamlike atmosphere. I like the brushwork around the lace collar, how it’s kind of a controlled frenzy of soft strokes. Perry really captures the play of light and shadow, the way the ruffles dance in the sunlight, it's not about photographic detail but about the feeling of light. The way the light touches the bowl of violets on the mantlepiece almost looks like it’s emanating from the scene. I see echoes of Impressionist masters like Monet, whom Perry knew well. But, this piece has its own quiet, contemplative mood. It reminds me of the way art invites us to slow down and savor the beauty in the everyday.