Quiet and introspective, this important oil on canvas is a significant example of Mary Cassatt's thoroughly modern approach to traditional portraiture. As one of art history’s leading female artists, Cassatt forged a career from her intimate portrayals of the world around her, particularly women and maternal figures in domestic settings. The present portrait illustrates her artistic devotion to the theme of the modern woman, executed in the Impressionist style that she helped to shape. Here, her characteristically long, loose brushstrokes and mastery of color are on full display, as she beautifully captures a moment of serene introspection.
The model for the work is Renée Chauvet, a woman from a nearby village who was a favorite of Cassatt. She can be seen in other important works from the period, most significantly Young Mother and Two Children from 1908 (White House Collection, Washington, D.C.).
As in most of her works, Cassatt does not glamorize or sentimentalize her subject; instead she presents her as a wholesome, natural individual. The artist pursued the theme of the solitary female throughout her career, using the subject as a way to provoke both contemplation and observation. In Woman Reading a Book, Chauvet’s intentional pose and expression challenge us to consider the nature of the text in her hands.
Cassatt's approach to her subject is distinctive from her fellow Impressionists, who tended towards sensualizing their female subjects through a distinctly male gaze. Instead, Cassatt offers a touching snapshot that lacks sentimentalism and objectification, presenting instead a portrait of her female subject as a thoughtful individual.
As one of just four females and the only American member of the Impressionist circle, Mary Cassatt stands out. She lived most of her adult life in France, where she eventually befriended the great French painter Edgar Degas. At his invitation, she joined a group that would become known as the Impressionists and, under his influence, developed a love for drawing and mastery over pastels. Best remembered for her intimate portrayal of women, children, and the mother-child relationship, she was a vital contributor to the Impressionist circle. Today, her works can be found in important collections the world over, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Musée du Louvre, and Musée d'Orsay.
