First sentence:
"'Could you model for me tomorrow, Lyd?'"
Description:
Harriet Scott Chessman takes us into the world of Mary Cassatt's early Impressionist paintings through Mary's sister Lydia, whom the author sees as Cassatt's most inspiring muse. Chessman hauntingly brings to life Paris in 1880, with its thriving art world. The novel's subtle power rises out of a sustained inquiry into art's relation to the ragged world of desire and mortality. Ill with Bright's disease and conscious of her approaching death, Lydia contemplates her world narrowing. With the rising emotional tension between the loving sisters, between one who sees and one who is seen, Lydia asks moving questions about love and art's capacity to remember. Chessman illuminates Cassatt's brilliant paintings and creates a compelling portrait of the brave and memorable model who inhabits them with such grace. Lydia Cassatt Reading the Morning Paper includes five full-color plates, the entire group of paintings Mary Cassatt made of her sister.
My thoughts:
I enjoyed this book about the artist Mary Cassatt as told by her older sister, Lydia, who often posed for Mary's paintings. The book includes full page prints of these paintings that the reader can turn to and admire. I also learned about the Impressionist movement happening in Paris in the late 19th century and about Mary's artistic friendship with the painter Edgar Degas.
Date read: 6/13/2026
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4*/5
ISBN-10: 1583222723
ISBN-13: 9781583222720
Imprint: Permanent Press
Publisher: Seven Stories Press
Year: 2001
# of pages: 163
Binding: Trade Paperback
LibraryThing page
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