On a Balcony
INV-2665ImpressionismModernismpaintingamerican arts
Date
1878–79
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
85.2 × 65.5 cm (33 9/16 × 25 13/16 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Albert J. Beveridge in memory of her aunt, Delia Spencer Field
In this vibrant portrayal of a woman reading, Cassatt amplified her palette and brushwork, using energetic daubs of red, yellow, pink, and blue to describe the floral backdrop and the figure’s patterned dress. The balcony’s blue rail, visible near the top of the painting, defines the garden’s enclosed space, and her morning attire likewise emphasizes the setting’s intimacy. Reading a newspaper rather than a novel demonstrates that even at home, the woman is connected to the contemporary world. The painting was included in the 1880 Impressionist exhibition, Cassatt’s second showing with the group.
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