Sketch of Antoinette (no.1) 1901

Mary Cassatt painted this sketch of Antoinette with oil on canvas; it's now in a private collection. What strikes me about this painting is how Cassatt uses color and texture to create a sense of intimacy. Look at the way she builds up the skin tones with these incredibly soft, almost smudged brushstrokes. It’s like she's caressing the canvas, finding the form through layers of gentle touches. And then there's that vibrant green backdrop, so loose and gestural. It’s not trying to be anything other than itself – just pure, raw paint. The face is turned slightly down, contemplative. It invites you to consider the sitter’s inner world, making the painting an emotional space. Cassatt, like Degas, explored the possibilities of everyday life in painting, and you can almost see a conversation between their approaches, a shared understanding of the fleeting moment. It's a reminder that art is never finished, only abandoned.