Mary Cassatt, The Bath, c. 1891, Drypoint and soft-ground etching in yellow, blue, black, and sanguine
Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms out there! I’m lucky to have an incredible mother and mother-in-law—exemplars of kindness, generosity, and hardwork—and to be surrounded by so many strong and inspiring women, friends and family alike. The subjects of American painter and printmaker, Mary Cassatt (1844-1926), often took the form of her family, including her sister Lydia—her intimate portraits capturing both the social and private lives of women, and most notably the connection between mother and child. Highly influenced by her mentor and fellow Impressionist, Edgar Degas, Cassatt’s figural compositions demonstrate an impressionistic palette, while drawing from Japonism simplicity and color-blocking techniques—visible in 1960′s ukiyo-e, Japanese wood-block prints. Cassatt’s honest, yet not overly-sentimental portraits, act as timeless glimpses into the bond between mother in child.
Mary Cassatt, Maternal Caress, c. 1891, Color drypoint, aquatint, and soft-ground etching
Mary Cassatt, The Child’s Bath, 1893, Oil on canvas
Mary Cassatt, Gathering Fruit, c. 1893, Drypoint and aquatint in color
Mary Cassatt, Mother’s Kiss, 1890-1891, Drypoint and aquatint on laid paper
