A Portrait of the Artist's Mother

"A Portrait of the Artist's Mother" by Mary Cassatt is a delicate print created between 1884 and 1894. This profound work utilizes the sophisticated techniques of softground etching and aquatint, executed in brown ink on laid paper. Cassatt, a foundational figure in American Impressionism, spent much of her career in Paris, mastering various printmaking techniques alongside her painting practice throughout the late 19th century. Her graphic output, produced during the period of 1876 to 1900, constitutes one of the most innovative bodies of work in modern print history.

The sitter is the artist’s mother, Katherine Kelso Cassatt, a subject that appears frequently within Cassatt’s intimate domestic scenes. The combination of softground etching and aquatint allows for subtle tonal variations, enabling Cassatt to achieve a rich, painterly quality within her graphic works. Softground etching, in particular, provided a textured line akin to that of a pencil or crayon, enhancing the intimacy inherent in this portraiture. Cassatt’s dedicated focus on women in their private spheres was characteristic of her independent approach within the Impressionist circle, offering nuanced psychological studies rather than idealized forms.

During this era, Cassatt consistently experimented with surface texture and technique to push the boundaries of the medium, establishing herself as one of the most important graphic artists of the American expatriate school. Her technical expertise elevated the status of the print medium from mere reproduction to fine art. This exceptional example of Cassatt’s skill is preserved in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, where it serves as a testament to her technical mastery. As a significant late-nineteenth-century work of art, high-resolution images of these historical prints often fall into the public domain, ensuring they remain widely available for study and appreciation.