Young Mother Sewing

A closer look

The contrast between the two figures gives the painting its life: the mother is calm and inward, eyes lowered to her sewing; the child, bored or curious, gazes at us with a direct, slightly sulky expression. Behind them, a window opens onto a green garden, and a vase of flowers stands on the sill. Cassatt painted with broad, sketchy strokes in the dress and background, focusing detail on the faces and hands. The models were not mother and daughter but local villagers who posed for her at her country house in France.