Susan in a Straw Bonnet

Susan in a Straw Bonnet by Mary Cassatt American, 1844-1926, is a key example of the artist's draftsmanship using pastel on paper. Executed sometime between 1878 and 1888, this drawing showcases the richness and immediacy possible with pastel, a medium Cassatt frequently employed as she moved firmly into the Parisian Impressionist circle. Although classified primarily as a Drawing, the heavy application and meticulous blending of colors demonstrate the complexity she brought to works on paper, blurring the traditional lines between sketching and painting.

The piece exemplifies Cassatt’s characteristic focus on the private, domestic lives of women, a central theme in her œuvre. Unlike many of her male contemporaries, Cassatt offered nuanced views into spaces traditionally inaccessible to men, portraying her sitters with empathy and direct observation. The woman depicted in Susan in a Straw Bonnet is rendered with loose, expressive strokes, emphasizing the texture of the bonnet and the interplay of light and shadow on the face, stylistic hallmarks of Impressionism. As a prominent female artist from the United States working abroad, Cassatt helped define modern American art while simultaneously influencing European tastes.

The sustained period of creation, spanning a decade, suggests Cassatt may have returned to this pastel several times to achieve its final luminosity and structural quality. Today, this important work resides within the prestigious collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Its historical significance ensures that high-quality prints and references to this foundational example of American Impressionism are widely accessible, frequently appearing in public domain databases for educational and scholarly use.