The Chrystal Gazer 1913

Lilla Cabot Perry made this oil painting of a seated woman looking into a chrystal ball. The composition evokes a mood of introspection and invites contemplation. I imagine Cabot Perry carefully building up the layers, starting with thin washes of color and gradually adding thicker, more textured strokes to define the form. The way the brush moves across the canvas is so delicate, with the weight of the body softened and blurred, it suggests a fluid, evolving process. She might have been trying to capture a fleeting moment of inner reflection, exploring the interplay between light and shadow to enhance the mystical quality of the piece. The dark palette, especially the deep blacks and reds, is so striking. They might have been inspired by Symbolist painters like Moreau, who sought to evoke emotions and ideas through their art. It feels like the kind of painting that invites multiple readings.