In the Opera Box [verso]

The work In the Opera Box [verso] by Mary Cassatt, created circa 1880, offers insight into the artist’s prolific printmaking endeavors during the late 19th century. Classified as a drawing, this piece utilizes the complex technique of transferred softground combined with a rich brown wash on wove paper. This sophisticated method allowed Cassatt to achieve delicate, textural effects resembling the spontaneity of a sketch, translating the softness of pencil or chalk into a reproducible medium suitable for editions of prints. The application of the brown wash adds crucial depth and shadow, highlighting the experimental nature of her graphic art practice during the crucial period of 1876 to 1900.

As a leading American figure within the French Impressionist circle, Cassatt frequently explored themes of modern feminine life and the observation of social interactions. Although the image is designated as a verso, suggesting a preparatory study or secondary impression, the subject matter strongly aligns with her iconic images of women at the theater. These works captured the dual nature of the opera box setting: a space for viewing the performance, but also a contained environment where the viewer themselves became subject to public scrutiny.

Cassatt’s dedication to mastering the technical challenges of etching and softground helped define her artistic legacy. Her focus on line, structure, and washes reveals an artist deeply invested in the medium's expressive possibilities, often preparing for or refining subsequent print editions. The refined use of softground in this drawing suggests she was working toward the nuanced quality that distinguishes her finished graphic works. This piece, along with many related preparatory studies, remains foundational to the history of American graphic arts. It is preserved today in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art. High-quality prints of such historically significant works are sometimes made available through public domain initiatives, ensuring widespread appreciation for Cassatt’s groundbreaking contributions.