Edward Schari

The print Edward Schari, created by American artist Mary Cassatt American, 1844-1926, dates from the key decade of 1884-1894, a time when Cassatt was fully immersed in innovative printmaking techniques. This particular piece is executed as a drypoint in black with plate tone on cream laid paper. The utilization of drypoint, characterized by scratching directly into the copper plate, produces a rich, velvety line due to the burr raised alongside the groove. The presence of plate tone, achieved by carefully wiping the ink to leave a slight film on the surface, further enhances the dimensionality and subtle atmospheric quality of the image.

The years between 1884 and 1894 mark a peak period in Cassatt’s graphic output. Although working primarily abroad in Europe, the artist was central to the development of modern graphic art practices that were influential back in the United States. This work, a figure study or portrait based on the title Edward Schari, demonstrates Cassatt’s masterful handling of the drypoint medium. The delicate use of the needle captures fine facial details and costume textures, while the heavy ink density provides structure and weight to the overall composition. Her focus on intimate human subjects, rendered with psychological depth and technical precision, became a defining characteristic of the artist's mature style.

As one of the most significant American artists of her generation, Cassatt’s contributions offer crucial insights into both expatriate life and the evolving role of women in the arts. This highly collectible piece resides in the esteemed collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it serves as a superb example of late 19th-century American graphic art. Many of Cassatt’s influential prints from this era are now widely available for study through digitized public domain access, underscoring her lasting legacy within the history of art in the United States.