Mother and Child 1914

Mary Cassatt made this piece, titled Mother and Child, with pastel. Pastel is such a forgiving medium, and here, Cassatt uses it to render a tender, intimate moment. The way she builds up the forms with layers of soft, powdery pigment reminds me of sculpting with color. Look at the child’s face—it’s not about perfect realism, but more about capturing the essence of childhood innocence. The marks are feathery, almost like a caress, giving the surface a tactile quality. I love how the colors blend into each other, creating a sense of warmth and closeness. The red of the mother’s dress contrasts beautifully with the child’s pale skin, drawing your eye to the heart of the composition. There's a similar softness in Berthe Morisot's work, also preoccupied with domestic scenes, but Cassatt brings a unique directness. Ultimately, it’s not about having all the answers, but about embracing the beauty of the unknown.