Elsie Cassatt Holding a Big Dog

'Elsie Cassatt Holding a Big Dog' is a charming portrait work exemplifying the Impressionism style. The painting features Elizabeth "Elsie" Foster Cassatt Stewart, a known American sportswoman and socialite, lovingly cradling a large dog. Notably, instead of oil or acrylic, the artist chose pastel as the medium for the artwork. Pastels, made of pure powdered pigment and a binder, offer an intensely vibrant color that beautifully captures the subject. Moreover, the use of paper as a canvas gives the entire piece a remarkably soft and intimate feel.