By the Pond

By the Pond is a print created by Mary Cassatt in 1898. This sophisticated work utilizes the combined intaglio techniques of drypoint and aquatint, a demanding process requiring both linear precision and control over tonal application. As a pivotal American artist deeply embedded in the Parisian avant-garde, Cassatt dedicated much of her career to exploring the private, intimate world of women and children, often capturing scenes of daily activity or tranquil leisure, such as those implied by this title.

The employment of drypoint lends a velvety richness to the line work, resulting from the burr of copper displaced by the needle, a textural quality highly valued in the artist’s graphic production during this late nineteenth-century period. Simultaneously, the aquatint medium allows for subtle, granulated tonal washes and areas of shadow, enabling the composition to achieve depth and atmospheric effect traditionally associated with painting. Cassatt’s mastery of these combined techniques demonstrates her commitment to elevating printmaking to the status of high art, placing her among the foremost graphic artists of the time.

This composition, executed around c. 1898, is typical of Cassatt’s mature style, emphasizing delicate observation and a focus on domestic tranquility. The artist’s innovative approach to both technique and subject matter significantly influenced contemporary artists in Europe and contributed meaningfully to the trajectory of American art history, despite her long residence abroad. The enduring importance of the artist’s graphic output is evidenced by the inclusion of this impression in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it serves as a crucial example of modern prints and draftsmanship.