Little Girl in a Blue Armchair
1878 National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.
About this artwork
This oil on canvas painting depicts a young girl lounging informally in a large, blue upholstered armchair, with a small dog sleeping in a matching chair nearby. It is a quintessential example of Cassatt's interest in the domestic life of women and children, influenced by her close friendship with Edgar Degas.
Did you know?
Edgar Degas, a mentor and friend to Cassatt, actually contributed to the painting by advising on the composition and suggesting the arrangement of the chairs to create a more dynamic, unconventional perspective. The painting was famously rejected from the 1879 Impressionist exhibition in Paris, despite Cassatt's belief in its quality, illustrating the challenging path female artists faced in the late 19th century.
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Little Girl in a Blue Armchair
Mary Cassatt, 1878
