Saturday, August 1, 2009

Mary Cassatt - Lydia (detail)



[Lydia in a loge, wearing a pearl necklace]

1879

oil on canvas

31 5/8 x 23"

Private Collection

Probably influenced by Degas' ballet pictures, but in the colouring it has overtones of Renoir and in its handling Manet. It was included in an exhibition of Impressionist paintings in 1878 and was favourably received. The model was Mary's older sister Lydia (died in 1882).

2 comments:

Hels said...

There are such wonderful Impressionist images of young women in a loge. Always full of the excitement of first time out in adult society e.g
Renoir Au Théâtre, la loge; La Loge;
Cassatt, The Loge; Woman in Black at the Opera; A Corner of the Loge;
Eva Gonzalès, A Loge in the Théâtre des Italiens.

Those young women looked sooo excited. I think we are too sophisticated now to understand the thrill.

thank you and thanks Mme Cassatt
Hels

Hermes said...

What a lovely comment - thank you.