Lydia Crocheting in the Garden at Marly by Mary Cassatt (1880), image source: TheMet
“Cassatt and her family spent the summer of 1880 at Marly-le-Roi, about ten miles west of Paris. Ignoring the village’s historic landmarks in her art, Cassatt focused instead on the domestic environment. Here, she portrayed her elder sister, Lydia, fashionably dressed and insulated by a walled garden from any modern hurly-burly. Lydia is absorbed in the sort of old-fashioned handicraft that was increasingly prized by the well-to-do as factory manufacture by working-class women escalated. Although Cassatt was generally uninterested in plein-air painting, she captured the effects of dazzling sunlight beautifully in this work, especially in Lydia’s large white hat.” Quote from TheMet
I love studying the detail of this painting in blow-up, both the background as well as the figure. Her brushwork is dazzling. Every part of the painting solves an interesting problem.
This painting has a ‘lit from behind’ look that I enjoy so much – not quite stained glass looking, but still softened jewel tones with lighter colors underneath that glow. I wish I knew how she did that. Thanks for your thoughts. 🙂
I love studying the detail of this painting in blow-up, both the background as well as the figure. Her brushwork is dazzling. Every part of the painting solves an interesting problem.
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This painting has a ‘lit from behind’ look that I enjoy so much – not quite stained glass looking, but still softened jewel tones with lighter colors underneath that glow. I wish I knew how she did that. Thanks for your thoughts. 🙂
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Your detailing really makes me look closer and think more – always good to encourage!
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I appreciate your comments. Thanks! 🙂
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