A Portrait of the Artist's Mother

"A Portrait of the Artist's Mother," created by American artist Mary Cassatt between 1884 and 1894, is a defining example of her dedication to the graphic arts during the late nineteenth century. This sophisticated work, classified as a print, utilizes the challenging technique of color softground etching combined with aquatint on laid paper. Cassatt employed these media to achieve the soft, nuanced textures and broad areas of color that characterize her most celebrated graphic output, placing the piece firmly within the innovative art trends of the period 1876 to 1900.

The subject matter, depicting the artist’s mother, embodies the intimacy and domestic focus prevalent in much of Cassatt’s oeuvre. Unlike some of her formal oil paintings, this print captures the sitter with a quiet directness, emphasizing psychological depth over high-society formality. Cassatt’s mastery of the softground etching process allowed her to maintain the spontaneous energy of a sketch while achieving the refined finish required of a formal print.

The complex interplay of etching and aquatint highlights Cassatt’s commitment to technical experimentation, heavily influenced by the structured yet decorative qualities of Japanese ukiyo-e prints that were popular in Paris at the time. This period was crucial for American artists working abroad, and Cassatt stands out as one who pushed the boundaries of traditional printmaking.

As a significant example of her work in the medium, the piece demonstrates Cassatt’s profound ability to convey emotion through line and carefully controlled color application. This historically important print, A Portrait of the Artist's Mother, resides in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, where it serves as a testament to Cassatt's influential role in both American art and the history of modern graphic media.