Mary Cassatt

I chose to analyze Mary Cassatt because, well, first of all I like her work. I like that she paints pictures of people. I like to paint people so I can relate to her work. Secondly, she's American and so am I. I figured that connects us as well. I also like that she paints pictures of relationships.

Formal Analysis

A Woman and a Girl Driving
Subject: Personal Function; Love, Sex and Relationships.
Subject Matter: The Artist's sister and a young girl driving in a carriage, accompanied by a groom.
Form: Oil on canvas, 35 5/16 x 51 3/8 inches (89.7 x 130.5 cm). Heavy use of color and texture. Very detailed and emphasizes on the figures.
Content: The figures in this painting are depicted well by the use of color and texture. The darkness in the woods emphasizes the light-heartedness of the relationship of the two figures. Oil is a good way to show texture and the movement of the scene. Even though these two figures do not share a maternal bond, Cassatt's style shows through due to the warmth of the relationship between the woman and the young girl. Even though Cassatt was childless herself, she was some how able to show connections between women and children. I think this is a good example of how you don't have to have a child to experience that bond; thus, what Cassatt is trying to display in this painting.  The image appears to focus on the warmth of the two figures as they enjoy themselves in each others' company. Cassatt is using her adapt ability to show relationships in this painting in order to make the two figures seem connected.