Susan Seated Outdoors Wearing a Purple Hat 1881

Mary Cassatt, with her bold brushstrokes, painted this portrait of Susan seated outdoors, hat and all. The purple hat, perched atop Susan's head, is more than mere decoration. Purple, historically associated with royalty and spirituality, suggests an elevated status, but here, it is tempered by the hat’s simple, almost childlike form. This juxtaposition reflects a tension that is played out in the collective consciousness: between innocence and experience, restraint and freedom. Think of how the Madonna, often draped in blue robes, symbolizes purity and divine grace, but also maternal sorrow. Similarly, Susan’s purple hat hints at layers beneath the surface, a silent narrative waiting to unfold. This painting captures a fleeting moment, but it also echoes across time, reminding us of the enduring power of symbols to shape our perceptions and stir our emotions.