Bust of Ellen with Bows in Her Hair 1898

Mary Cassatt made this pastel drawing, *Bust of Ellen with Bows in Her Hair*, at an unknown date. Cassatt, an American expatriate working in France, uniquely explored the lives of women and children in the late 19th century, often within the domestic sphere. This work offers a glimpse into the world of childhood, portraying a young girl in a moment of quiet contemplation. Her delicate features and the soft rendering of her clothing speak to a tender, intimate relationship between artist and subject. Cassatt's decision to focus on women and children was itself a commentary on the restrictive social roles assigned to women in her time. Her work challenges the traditional male gaze, offering instead a female perspective on everyday life. To fully understand Cassatt’s place in art history, we can consult sources such as exhibition catalogs and personal letters, found in institutional archives. These help us to contextualize her contributions to the art world.