Sketch of Reine and Child 1902

Mary Cassatt made this sketch of Reine and Child in pastel, and what a delicious drawing it is! I can imagine Cassatt's hand moving quickly, capturing the essence of these figures with such tenderness. The marks feel so immediate, like she's right there in the room with them, noticing the way the light catches on their faces. It's not overworked, just a few strokes of reds and yellows to bring the scene to life. You know, I think about all the women artists like Cassatt, Berthe Morisot, and so many others, who were looking at each other's work, talking, influencing each other. Cassatt must have been thinking about the old masters, too, but pushing it forward, making it her own. I think artists, we're all just bouncing ideas off each other, across time, trying to figure things out. And with this sketch, Cassatt offers us a glimpse into her process, her way of seeing and feeling the world.