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"Child in a Straw Hat" is a captivating painting by Mary Cassatt, completed in 1886. This oil on canvas work portrays a young girl wearing a wide-brimmed straw hat, a recurring theme in Cassatt's examination of children and their innocence. The child is presented in a close-up, three-quarter view, with her face turned slightly to the left. The hat, with its ribbons and natural texture, frames her delicate face and adds a sense of charm and purity to the image.

The girl’s soft, youthful features are rendered with tender attention to detail, emphasizing her round cheeks and the innocence of her expression. Cassatt uses a harmonious blend of colors, with delicate pinks, peaches, and soft whites dominating the child’s face and attire, contrasted with the straw hat's earthy tones. The background is kept understated, allowing the viewer’s focus to remain on the child's features and the texture of the hat. Cassatt’s brushwork is both fluid and precise, giving the painting a realistic yet tenderly stylized appearance.

Information about the Original Painting and the Artist:

- Location: The original "Child in a Straw Hat" is held in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., USA.
- Artist: Mary Cassatt (1844-1926) was an American painter and printmaker who spent much of her adult life in France. She is known for her depictions of the social and private lives of women, with particular emphasis on the intimate bonds between mothers and children. Cassatt was a prominent figure among the Impressionists, even though her style also demonstrated distinctive personal qualities and influences.
- Artistic Context: Painted in 1886, "Child in a Straw Hat" falls into the period when Cassatt was deeply involved with the Impressionist movement. During this era, she was exploring themes of motherhood and childhood, focusing on candid, tender moments and the natural beauty of her subjects. This painting exemplifies her skill in capturing the nuanced expressions and innocence of children, straddling the line between Impressionist spontaneity and a more focused realism.
- Noteworthy Details:
- The portrayal of domestic and intimate scenes reflects Cassatt's feminist perspective, celebrating the roles and experiences of women and children.
- Cassatt often featured children in her works, and they are commonly observed wearing hats or bonnets, adding both stylistic variety and emotional depth to her compositions.
- The brushstrokes in "Child in a Straw Hat" are quite indicative of Cassatt’s technique during this time, displaying a looser approach typical of the Impressionists but with her own emphasis on detail and texture.

Mary Cassatt's work, including "Child in a Straw Hat," continues to be celebrated for its delicate beauty and insightful portrayal of her subjects, securing her status as a key figure in the Impressionist movement and American art history.