Woman in Raspberry Costume Holding a Dog Mary Stevenson Cassatt (1844-1926)

The pastel drawing presents a portrait of a woman holding a small dog. The composition is vertically oriented and focuses intently on the subjects upper body and head. Here we see a young woman positioned centrally within the frame, her gaze directed towards the viewer with an expression that suggests both confidence and a touch of playful amusement.
The artist employed a loose, impressionistic technique, utilizing broad strokes of pastel to create a sense of movement and vibrancy. The color palette is dominated by warm tones – shades of pink, yellow, and ochre – which contribute to a feeling of warmth and intimacy. The woman’s attire, a raspberry-colored jacket with a large bow at the neck, stands out against the softer background hues. A dark, elaborate hat sits atop her head, its shape adding visual weight to the upper portion of the composition.
The dog, positioned close to the womans chest, is rendered in lighter tones, contrasting with the richer colors of the jacket and hat. Its fluffy appearance suggests a pampered pet, reinforcing an impression of affluence and leisure. The artist’s treatment of the background is deliberately vague; it appears as a wash of color rather than a defined space, which serves to draw attention solely to the figure.
Subtly, the drawing conveys themes of social status and domesticity. The womans elegant clothing and the presence of the dog suggest a comfortable lifestyle within an upper-class society. Her direct gaze establishes a connection with the viewer, inviting them into her world while simultaneously maintaining a degree of distance. The overall effect is one of refined elegance combined with a hint of personal charm. The loose rendering style lends a sense of immediacy and spontaneity to the portrait, as if capturing a fleeting moment in time.