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Impressionism

Mary Cassatt

18441926, from United States

Mary Cassatt (1844-1926) was an American Impressionist painter and printmaker whose intimate depictions of women and children transformed domestic modernity.

Portrait of Mary Cassatt

Collection

Shop Mary Cassatt Prints

Museum-quality reproductions on 310gsm textured cotton rag paper.

Shop all prints by Mary Cassatt

Artistic Style

Style Evolution

Cassatt began with academic training and a realist sensibility, then embraced Impressionist aims—lighter palette, looser brushwork, and modern domestic subjects—later integrating Japanese print composition and refining a graphic approach in etching and drypoint.

Palette

  • Soft pastels
  • Warm flesh tones
  • Muted yet luminous interiors
  • Subtle contrasts with patterned textiles

Subjects

  • Women at leisure
  • Mother and child scenes
  • Domestic interiors
  • Portraits of family and friends

Techniques

  • Loose, luminous brushwork
  • Delicate handling of line in etching and drypoint
  • Flattened, decorative compositions influenced by Japanese prints
  • Careful compositional cropping and intimate vantage points

Topics

AmericanImpressionismWomen artistsPortraitureMother and childPrintmakingEtching19th centuryDomestic interiors

Mary Cassatt (1844-1926) was an American Impressionist painter and printmaker whose intimate depictions of women and children transformed domestic modernity.

Learn about the life of Mary Cassatt

1844

Born in Allegheny (now part of Pittsburgh), United States

1866

Moved to Paris to pursue art studies

1870

Spent time in Europe developing technique and studying Old Masters and contemporary French art

1877

Became closely associated with the Impressionists in Paris

1880

Produced many of her best-known compositions focusing on women and children

1890

Turned increasing attention to printmaking, experimenting with drypoint and etching

1900

Worked to promote Impressionist art to American patrons and collectors

1926

Died in Le Mesnil-Théribus, France

1930

Posthumous recognition and growing scholarly study of her role in Impressionism and women's art history

Biography

Mary Cassatt (1844-1926) was an American Impressionist painter and printmaker whose intimate scenes of women and children helped redefine domestic life in modern art and bridged European Impressionism and American collecting tastes in the late 19th century.

(Note: This longer field is for internal use — official short opening below.)

Mary Cassatt (1844-1926) was an American Impressionist painter and printmaker whose intimate depictions of women and children reshaped modern domestic imagery and influenced collectors on both sides of the Atlantic.

Awards

National Women's Hall of Fame, Knight of the Legion of Honour

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Mary Cassatt's most famous paintings?+
Mary Cassatt is best known for intimate paintings of women and children that capture everyday domestic life with dignity and tenderness. While specific titles vary across collections and publications, her oeuvre consistently features repeated subject matter: mothers bathing or reading to children, a
What is Mary Cassatt's style?+
Mary Cassatt is widely regarded as an American Impressionist. Her style combines the Impressionist interests in light, color, and contemporary life with a strong sense of line and pattern influenced by Japanese prints. She favored near-cropped compositions, flattened spatial planes, and a focus on v
What made Mary Cassatt unique?+
Cassatt's originality lies in her sustained focus on the private world of women and children at a time when grand historical subjects dominated. Living mainly in France but remaining American by birth, she bridged cultures: she adopted Impressionist techniques while retaining a refined draughts
What are three of Mary Cassatt's masterpieces?+
Among Cassatt's masterpieces are characteristic works that exemplify her subjects and technique: intimate scenes of mother and child, contemplative portraits of women, and her later graphic prints. These exemplify her decorative composition, sensitive color, and refined draughtsmanship.
What movement was Mary Cassatt part of?+
Mary Cassatt is associated with Impressionism. She became closely linked with the circle of French Impressionists in Paris and shared their interest in contemporary life, luminous color, and looser handling of paint—while contributing a distinctive focus on women's domestic experi
What influenced Mary Cassatt?+
Cassatt drew influence from French Impressionists and from Japanese ukiyo-e prints—adopting compositional cropping, flat color areas, and decorative patterning. She was also in close contact with leading Parisian artists of her time, which informed her approach to modern subject matter and pict
Where can I see Mary Cassatt's work?+
Mary Cassatt's paintings and prints are held in major public and private collections internationally. Museums with strong holdings of Impressionist and late 19th-century American art commonly display her work. For buyers, museum exhibitions and reputable galleries are good places to vi