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"Little Girl in a Blue Armchair," painted in 1878 by Mary Cassatt, is a captivating portrayal of childhood and domestic interior constructed with a unique blend of realism and impressionism. This painting exemplifies Cassatt's extraordinary ability to capture private, poignant moments with empathetic precision and lively color.

The painting features a young girl, perhaps eight or nine years old, donning a loose-fitting white dress with subtle ruffles at the collar and sleeves. She lounges comfortably in one of several oversized, plush blue armchairs that dominate the room. Her posture is notably casual, with her legs stretched out and one arm resting atop the chair's armrest, conveying a palpable sense of ease and immersion in her own world. Her eyes gaze off to the side, her expression imbued with a quiet, introspective mood, possibly hinting at the fleeting and dreamy nature of childhood.

The background is punctuated by turbulent, bold brushstrokes that encapsulate the robust textures of the patterned carpet and the voluminous blue chairs. The palette is characterized by its liberal use of vibrant blues and sandy beiges, interspersed with hints of soft pinks and cool greys, creating a harmonious interplay of colors that accentuate the girl's delicate features and the comforting environment around her.

Mary Cassatt's "Little Girl in a Blue Armchair" is housed in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Born in 1844 in Pennsylvania, Cassatt became one of the foremost female figures in the Impressionist movement, despite being American in a predominantly French milieu. Her focus on domestic scenes, particularly those involving women and children, marked a significant corpus of her oeuvre. This painting belongs to the early part of Cassatt's career when she had established her definitive approach and reputation among the Impressionist circle.

Noteworthy is the collaborative influence of Edgar Degas, who reportedly advised Cassatt on compositional and technical elements in this work. The loose, spontaneous brushwork and the unconventional, cropped perspective are consistent with the Impressionist desire to capture momentary, lived experiences. Additionally, the painting underscores Cassatt's feminist leanings by imparting a dignified and affectionate view of the child — a subject that was often trivialized in the then-contemporary art scene. Cassatt's work, and this painting especially, resonates with themes of intimacy, familial bonds, and the gentle rebellion of childhood, rendered with an unmistakable warmth and immediacy.

"Little Girl in a Blue Armchair" stands as a testament to Cassatt's ingenuity in portraying the subtleties of human emotion and her adeptness at integrating modern techniques with traditional subjects, making it a significant piece in both her career and the broader Impressionist movement.