Last week I had the privilege of attending a special exhibit of Mary Cassatt’s work at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Some of the paintings were accompanied by early sketches so that viewers could see the study and revision work that were part of Cassatt’s process. Of course I couldn’t help thinking about revision in writing. I found so many parallels to writing in addition to revision – research, attention to detail, close study. Many of the works portrayed women reading newspapers and books, engaging in intellectual and political matters that were not popular during that period.
Mary Cassatt was constantly redefining herself and pushing herself to go beyond. She was an activist who worked in the suffrage movement and sought to portray the caregiving and creative activities of women as important work. The experience was truly inspirational.
I wrote a short poem in response to the painting “Lydia Crocheting in the Garden at Marley” (1880). I wondered what Lydia might be thinking. Perhaps she was planning ways to express creativity not just in her beautiful handwork, but also in her words, thoughts, and actions.
Lydia Crocheting
alone with her thoughts
gloved fingers loop the hook
mind and body transform
Draft, 2024RoseCappelli
Heidi has the roundup today at my juicy little universe. Be sure to stop by for a collaborative poem filled with imagination and lots more poetry goodness.
Imagine the Possibilities 
Rose, the enjoyment you had of this exhibit comes pouring through your post! “gloved fingers loop the hook” is so telling of the way that women of Mary’s time had to cover, had to work around the rules and other hooks that confined and slowed them down. Wonderful!
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Thanks, Heidi!
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Yes! What IS Lydia thinking?? I have oft written poems after Mary Cassatt. She gave the art-boys of her day a run for their money…and look, she’s still with us. Thank you for your poem! xo
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I love thinking about the parallel between artist and writer. And knowing that even sitting with crochet is generating creativity in mind and body 😊
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Lovely poem, Rose, and I do like Cassatt’s work a lot! Lucky you to have seen the exhibit.
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Rose, with your intro of the life of Mary Cassatt and the painting of Lydia, you’ve shown the strength of women that’s always been there, “alone with her thoughts” brings them all in, a secret shared. It’s a wonderful post!
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Thanks!
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I would love to go to that exhibit! Thank you for sharing your experience with it, Rose, and your lovely Lydia poem.
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Rose, I love Mary Cassatt. At first, I did not see the gloves on the hands of the woman in the artwork. Also, I can’t imagine working with gloves on. I also liked the backstory. I did not know that Mary C was an activist. I am assuming she was a suffragette also.
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I had the same reaction to the gloves. How did she do that?!
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I love Mary Cassatt’s paintings. I saw them in Paris ages ago. I love your small poem that resonates with me as a crochet artist and dreamer.
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What a cool exhibit. I love those oo sounds.
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One of the things I love best about stitching is how it simultaneously focuses me AND frees my mind.
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LOVE Mary Cassatt. And love how you got into the crocheting mind. 🙂
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Ohhh, you lucky ducky! I would love to see that exhibit. Cassatt’s paintings are so rich and she was such a pioneer as a female working artist at that time. You’ve captured the mindful moment of Lydia. I love that handiwork can bring me to that place and that an artist such as Cassatt captured this one for you and for us.
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wow!! 98Poetry Friday: Refrigerator Poems
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