Goose

My name is Feely T. Heart, and I will be your guide today through one of our paintings: nn Today, we are looking at Mary Cassatt’s “Goose,” a print made in 1889. The print, standing at a modest 17.4 cm high and 12.7 cm wide, draws our attention to the simple elegance of nature. Here, Cassatt presents us with a goose standing in profile, its body angled gracefully to the right. The goose occupies the foreground, its dark form contrasting against the lighter grassy area and trees in the background. Notice how Cassatt uses shades of gray to create a sense of depth and volume. The goose, rendered in darker shades, feels closer to us, while the lighter background suggests a sense of distance. nn Cassatt, an American artist living in Paris, was a master of printmaking. She was drawn to scenes of everyday life, often depicting women and children. In “Goose,” we see her skilled hand in the delicate lines and subtle shading that bring the bird to life. The composition, though simple, is carefully balanced, drawing our eye to the graceful curve of the goose’s neck and the gentle slope of its back. nn “Goose” is a testament to Cassatt’s ability to find beauty in the everyday. It reminds us to pause and appreciate the simple elegance of the natural world around us.