A Pioneer of Impressionism

Mary Cassatt is an American painter widely recognized for her role in the Impressionist movement. Born in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, she spent most of her adult life in France, where she developed a deep admiration for the works of French Impressionists. Cassatt studied at the Académie des Beaux-Arts in Paris and, despite the restrictions imposed on women at the time, she succeeded in making a name for herself in the Parisian art scene.

Movements and Inspirations of Mary Cassatt

Mary Cassatt is one of the few female artists, along with Berthe Morisot, to embrace the Impressionist adventure. She is particularly known for her ability to capture the intimacy of family scenes and the mother-child bond, with a style that favors bright colors and quick brushstrokes. Cassatt was also influenced by Japanese prints, which is reflected in the composition and choice of motifs in several of her works from the 1890s onward.

Mary Cassatt became close to Edgar Degas, an artist she greatly admired. Degas's art is more classical, in the tradition of Manet, but he opened the doors for her to exhibit in Impressionist shows starting in 1879. This gave her the opportunity to get closer to other painters, such as Pissarro and Berthe Morisot, the other grande dame of the movement.

In the early 1880s, Cassatt found her favorite theme: motherhood. It is not easy to determine what the subject of the painter is. Is it the mother? Is it the intimate duo, united by tenderness? Cassatt was never married, and she had no children, but she knew how to convey the sweetness binding the two beings, often depicted in daily activities such as bathing.

Notable Works of Mary Cassatt

• "The Tea" (1880): This work is a classic example of Cassatt's interest in intimate scenes of daily life. It depicts two women sharing a moment of complicity over a cup of tea, with particular attention paid to light and texture.

• "Mother and Child" (circa 1890): This series of works celebrates the unique bond between a mother and her child. Cassatt explores different aspects of motherhood with remarkable sensitivity and delicacy.

• "Child in a Garden" (1878): This painting illustrates the influence of Japanese prints on Cassatt's work. The balanced composition and bold use of color reflect her admiration for Japanese aesthetics.

Mary Cassatt remains an iconic figure of Impressionism, admired for her innovative approach to painting and her representation of women and children. Her work not only broke gender barriers in art but also helped introduce Impressionism to the United States. Cassatt played a pivotal role in encouraging American collectors, notably the Havemeyer couple, to acquire Impressionist works.

Mary Cassatt's works are exhibited in several major institutions around the world, reflecting her importance in art history, such as the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met) in New York, and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

Estimation and Sale Prices at Aguttes

• Portrait of Pierre, circa 1906: Pastel on paper mounted on canvas. Signed, 58 x 48 cm. Mary Cassatt may be the only painter of her time who gave such a true interpretation of a child. Estimated at 250,000 – 350,000 euros, sold for 318,772 euros.

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