Alexander J. Cassatt (ca. 1880)
Technique: Giclée quality print
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"Alexander J. Cassatt (ca. 1880)" by Mary Cassatt is a captivating portrait that captures the essence of its subject with a compelling blend of intimacy and formality. This painting features Alexander Cassatt, the artist's brother, portrayed in a thoughtful pose, absorbed in the act of reading a document. The setting suggests a comfortable, personal space, possibly within a home or office, underscored by the soft, diffuse daylight that filters through the window beside him.Mary Cassatt's use of color and brushwork subtly enhances the composition, creating a vivid texture that brings out the character and contemplation in Alexander's expression. His focused gaze and the dynamic lines of his hands and the papers he holds suggest concentration and a moment captured in time—a snapshot of intellectual engagement. The juxtaposition of warm and cool hues, along with the informal yet calculated brush strokes, underscores Cassatt’s deftness in portraiture, which is both personal and profound.The painting not only serves as a visual biography of Alexander but also highlights Mary Cassatt’s remarkable skill in capturing the nuances of human expressions, making this piece a significant work within her oeuvre.
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Mary Stevenson Cassatt was an American painter and printmaker. She was born in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania (now part of Pittsburgh’s North Side), but lived much of her adult life in France where she befriended Edgar Degas and exhibited with the Impressionists. Cassatt often created images of the social and private lives of women, with particular emphasis on the intimate bonds between mothers and children.
She was described by Gustave Geffroy as one of "les trois grandes dames" (the three great ladies) of Impressionism alongside Marie Bracquemond and Berthe Morisot.In 1879, Diego Martelli compared her to Degas, as they both sought to depict movement, light, and design in the most modern sense.