Mrs. Duffee Sitting on a Striped Sofa, Reading
- Original dimensions
- 26.67 x 34.29 cm
- Museum
- Museum of Fine Arts Boston
- Year
- 1876
Scene depicted
The painting "Mrs. Duffee sitting on a striped sofa, reading" captures a suspended moment, where the protagonist loses herself in the pages of a book, evoking tranquility and the beauty of everyday life. The striped sofa, emblematic of the bourgeois style of the time, serves as a setting for this female figure, a symbol of intellectual emancipation.
Historical context
Created in 1876, this painting is emblematic of the vibrancy of late 19th century Boston, a flagship city in the United States. A member of the Impressionist movement, Mary Cassatt focuses on the inner life of women, capturing moments of tenderness and intimacy. The original canvas is now housed in the Museum of Fine Arts Boston , where it continues to amaze visitors.
Place in the artist's career
This painting represents an important milestone in Cassatt's career, demonstrating her unique approach to the female subject. In parallel with works like "The Reading" and "The Child on the Sofa," this canvas captures her progression towards a more intimate and sensory exploration of women in art.
Anecdote
Mary Cassatt once stated: "Painting is an echo of a cry, a melody of a memory." It was in the soft light of a spring morning, while observing a friend engrossed in reading, that she was inspired to capture this touching scene. This deeply human emotion lies at the heart of the painting .