1844 -1926 · Pennsylvania, Paris and impressionism

Bold framing, light color and women's autonomy make Mary Cassatt a major figure in impressionism and modern printmaking.

Mary Stevenson Cassatt was born in 1844 in Allegheny City, now Pittsburgh, and died in 1926 at Mesnil-Théribus, France. Coming from a wealthy family traveling in Europe, she studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts but came up against the limits imposed on women. In 1866, she went to Paris, copied the masters at the Louvre and completed her training in private workshops. Her travels to Spain and Italy nourished paintings such as After the Bullfight, where the black suit, concentrated pose and light already heralded an independent vision. His travels to Spain and Italy nourished paintings such as After the Bullfight, where the black suit, concentrated pose and light already announced an independent vision. Edgar Degas invited him to exhibit with the Impressionists in 1879. The only American artist in the group, Cassatt participated in several exhibitions and adopts oblique framing, free touch and observation of modern life. She paints theater, reading, toiletries, tea, family portraits and relationships between women and children. These maternity wards are not simple sentimental images: gestures, looks and physical distance describe care, learning and autonomy. Cassatt also became an extraordinarily inventive engraver. After studying etching, drypoint and aquatint with Degas, around 1890 -1891 she created a series of ten color prints inspired by Japanese masters. Simplified lines, flat points and aquatint, she created around 1890 -1891. After studying etching, drypoint and aquatint with Degas, around 1890 -1891, she created around 1890 -1891. After studying etching, drypoint and aquatint with Degas, around 1890 -1891. After studying etching, drypoint and aquatint with Degas, she created around 1890 -1891 a series of ten color prints inspired by Japanese masters. Simplified lines, flat points and close points of view profoundly renewed the image of female life. Advisor to american collectors, she finally played a decisive role in the spread of impressionism in the United States. The "Mary Cassatt" selection notably compares Alexandre J. Cassatt and Antoinette to her hairdresser. His reading favors details.

Cassatt does not paint an abstract idea of motherhood: she observes the hand that does hair, the look that learns and the space shared between two beings.