Mary Cassatt’s a prominent Impressionist artist, created the painting Girl Arranging Her Hair in 1886. It is an oil on canvas painting that depicts a young woman arranging her hair, captured in a moment of privacy and contemplation. The painting is now part of the National Gallery of Art collection in Washington, D.C.
Girl Arranging Her Hair was acquired by Edgar Degas after it was exhibited at the eighth Impressionist exhibition. After Degas’ death, there was confusion about its creator and it was mistakenly identified as one of his works for several years before being correctly attributed to Mary Cassatt. Cassatt specialized in creating intimate portraits of women and children during this time period.
In addition to Girl Arranging Her Hair, other notable paintings by Cassatt include Child in A Straw Hat and Woman Standing Holding a Fan. She played a significant role in financing her own career as an artist and helped to establish herself as one of the leading figures of the Impressionist movement alongside well-known artists like Claude Monet and Edgar Degas.
Overall, Girl Arranging Her Hair reflects Mary Cassatt’s unique style through its depiction of a woman engaging with her personal reflection while also providing an insightful look at life during this era.
