The Befooted Child 1898

Editor: "The Befooted Child," a tender 1898 drawing by Mary Cassatt, is currently held in a Private Collection. What strikes me is the intimacy captured with such simple lines. It feels so fleeting, almost like a secret glimpse into a private moment. What draws you to this particular work? Curator: Oh, this piece, like a whispered lullaby, speaks of profound connections! It whispers secrets of motherhood, the silent dialogues between a mother and child. The sketchiness isn’t a flaw but rather an invitation – it’s not about perfection, it is all about feeling, right? Imagine being Cassatt, charcoal in hand, rapidly trying to capture the fleeting gesture of a child. Editor: That’s beautifully put. So, the incomplete feeling is intentional? Curator: Absolutely! It emphasizes the ephemeral nature of childhood, like a dream on the verge of vanishing as we grasp for it. Cassatt, in her daring to leave things unfinished, hints at the hidden depth and complexity in the most everyday relationships. Do you think she leaves some things unfinished to give the viewer more agency to fill it in, based on our own lives? Editor: That's a really interesting thought. I hadn't considered the viewer's role in completing the narrative. Curator: That little hint of watercolor too! That one dash transforms what would've been mere utility to pure art. Maybe what I like the best is she dares to show what painting feels like and makes a statement. How are paintings actually made and the struggles of being present and also working hard! It’s amazing that so much raw thought can occur in the act of making the work, that this all makes sense here, right? Editor: Totally. It really changes my perception of what Impressionism is trying to capture. Thanks for illuminating that for me. Curator: The pleasure’s all mine. Isn’t it remarkable how a simple sketch can unravel into such a deeply moving contemplation of life?