Lydia at Afternoon Tea

Lydia at Afternoon Tea is a seminal print created by Mary Cassatt in 1882. This piece utilizes the demanding techniques of softground etching and aquatint, resulting in a delicate interplay of texture and tone characteristic of Cassatt's printmaking practice during the peak of the Impressionist era. As a key figure in the movement, Cassatt, though expatriate, brought a distinctively modern, American perspective to depicting the private lives of women within the context of the period between 1876 to 1900.

The work focuses intimately on a woman, likely Lydia, engaged in the familiar domestic ritual of taking afternoon tea. Cassatt often chose subjects from her own social circle, focusing on the nuanced expressions and relationships within the female sphere rather than staged drama. The softground etching lends a characteristic grainy texture to the lines, softening the edges and giving the impression of immediacy, much like a preliminary sketch. The complementary use of aquatint provides rich, tonal shading, crucial for defining the interior space and establishing depth within the composition. This careful combination of graphic techniques allowed Cassatt to translate the fleeting, momentary quality often sought in Impressionist painting into the robust medium of prints.

This piece exemplifies the growing mastery Cassatt demonstrated in graphic arts throughout the 1880s, solidifying her reputation not only as a painter but also as a serious printmaker. The composition, characterized by its sharp angles, cropped edges, and focus on subtle gesture, reflects the profound influence of Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints that were captivating artists in Paris at the time. This significant American work from the late nineteenth century is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, where it serves as a valuable record of both Impressionist graphic output and Cassatt’s enduring contribution to art history.