Cassatt: Mothers and Children
Mary Cassatt (1845-1926) was the daughter of a wealthy Pennsylvania business man. In those days, painting was a man’s world and her father not only discouraged her, he refused to pay for her supplies. She left the United States as soon as possible to study art in Paris. Since Victorian women were not allowed to be alone with any man except a relative, Cassatt’s only male subjects were her father and brothers.
When Degas first saw her work, he said, “There is a person who feels as I do” and soon afterward they became life long friends. She was a gifted draftsman, precisely outlined her figures, and composed excellent designs. She used the Impressionist palette of vivid hues, pale tines, golden light, and shadows tinged with color and she exhibited with them. Her trademarks were women and children.
Her wealthy friends bought paintings from Monet, Manet, Cezanne and Cassatt for their private collections. Although the French were slow to appreciate the Impressionists, with the Americans it was love at first sight!