Woman with a Sunflower

Woman with a Sunflower, painted by the celebrated American artist Mary Cassatt in 1905, is a significant late-period work exploring the complexities of female portraiture. Executed in oil on canvas, this painting showcases Cassatt's mature technique, which, while rooted in the loose brushwork of French Impressionism, had by this time developed a firmer, more sculptural quality in its depiction of the figure.

Created during the period spanning 1901 to 1925, the canvas reflects the aesthetic shifts of the early 20th century, favoring bold compositional clarity over the delicate atmospheric effects of the 1880s. Though an expatriate who lived primarily in Paris, Cassatt remained a foundational figure in American modern art, actively influencing the taste and collecting habits of her home country. The work presents a solitary woman, whose posture and gaze suggest introspection and poise, qualities central to Cassatt’s long-standing project of elevating the independent female subject.

The inclusion of the sunflower, historically a symbolic element linked to notions of devotion or adoration, contrasts with the sitter’s reserved expression, adding a layer of ambiguity to the narrative. Cassatt utilizes a restricted color palette, focusing attention on the sitter’s face and the warm hues of the flower, deepening the psychological impact of the portrait.

This highly regarded painting is classified as an integral part of American culture and currently resides in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Given the enduring popularity of the artist's oeuvre, images and high-quality prints of Woman with a Sunflower are widely distributed, ensuring the continued study and appreciation of Cassatt's contributions to the history of art.