Sara Wearing a Bonnet and Coat

"Sara Wearing a Bonnet and Coat," created by American artist Mary Cassatt between 1904 and 1906, is a compelling drawing that showcases her sophisticated handling of the pastel medium in her later career. This particular work employs an intricate technique: pastel applied over a pastel counterproof on chine collé. This layered process indicates Cassatt’s commitment to experimentation, utilizing the counterproof method to transfer and refine the composition before adding final layers of pigment, resulting in a luminous and finely textured surface.

The piece centers on the figure of a young girl, "Sara," a frequently used model in Cassatt's output during the early 20th century, reflecting the artist’s lifelong dedication to exploring the intimate world of women and children. Here, Sara is depicted in heavy outdoor wear—a bonnet and a coat—suggesting a moment either paused indoors while bundled up or captured immediately before or after a journey. Cassatt uses the soft, blending capabilities of the pastel to highlight the child's delicate features against the heavier folds of the clothing, achieving a sense of immediacy and warmth characteristic of the Impressionist legacy she carried forward.

As one of the most distinguished American expatriates working in France during the 1901 to 1925 period, Cassatt established a unique position within modern art by focusing almost exclusively on domestic scenes and portraiture. Her dedication to draftsmanship, evident in Sara Wearing a Bonnet and Coat, ensured that her figurative studies were both psychologically penetrating and formally robust. Today, this distinctive drawing is a highlight of the National Gallery of Art collection, serving as an important reference point for studying the evolution of Cassatt's technique. The widespread availability of quality prints and resources dedicated to this era helps preserve the public’s access to the mastery of this American great.