Head of Simone in a Green Bonnet with Wavy Brim c. 1904

Mary Cassatt made this pastel drawing, Head of Simone in a Green Bonnet with Wavy Brim, with what looks like pure color – like chalky light. The ground is raw and exposed, giving it a kind of nonchalant feel, like, "I'm not gonna cover up everything". The marks are direct, not blended, making the whole thing feel immediate and present. It’s all about capturing a fleeting moment. Check out the bonnet, it's a scribble of blues and greens, somehow solid and airy at the same time. It’s not about perfect representation, but about the sensation of light and form. This reminds me of Manet's quick, sure strokes. It's like they're both having a conversation across time about how much information you really need to make a picture. Art is never really finished, right? It’s just a bunch of open-ended questions.