Portrait of Madame Cordier

Mary Cassatt completed this Portrait of Madame Cordier in 1874, an oil on canvas showing a woman in elegant black and white attire. The subject sits slightly in profile, her gaze avoiding the viewer to create an air of introspection. A luminous lace blouse glows against the somber background.

Cassatt was one of the few women in the Impressionist circle, breaking barriers at a time when female artists faced severe limitations. Her loose brushwork and attention to light show the influence of her French colleagues, though she brought her own approach to depicting women's character and identity.

The composition balances elegance and sobriety. Madame Cordier's black dress contrasts with her fair complexion and white lace, while her averted gaze adds mystery. This focus on psychological depth became a recurring theme in Cassatt's work. The portrait remains in a private collection.