Mary Cassatt at the Louvre: The Etruscan Gallery is a seminal print created by Edgar Degas between 1879 and 1880. This French masterwork, executed using the complex methods of soft-ground etching and drypoint on laid paper, captures Degas’s close colleague and fellow artist, Mary Cassatt, within the historic confines of the Louvre Museum. The setting, specifically the Etruscan Gallery, suggests an environment where scholarly viewing and artistic inspiration converge. This composition highlights Degas’s enduring fascination with capturing figures in moments of deep contemplation or natural movement, characteristics frequently seen in Parisian art produced between 1876 to 1900.
Degas utilized soft-ground etching to achieve subtle tonal variations and textural richness, creating effects distinct from the sharper, cleaner lines associated with traditional hard-ground etching. The addition of drypoint work provided rich, velvety burr, especially visible in the shadows, the contours of the figure, and the architectural elements of the museum space. Cassatt is depicted leaning forward, intensely engaged with the displays, while an unidentified second figure stands slightly behind her, utilizing a cane or umbrella for support. The intimate, seemingly unposed quality of the piece reflects Degas’s commitment to documenting modern life and private, interior moments, even when situated within the public sphere of a museum.
This classification as a print demonstrates Degas’s serious engagement with the graphic arts, treating etching and drypoint with the same innovative spirit he brought to his oils and pastels. The overall effect, enhanced by the textured surface of the laid paper, gives the image a sense of immediacy and sketch-like vitality. While many of his contemporaries focused on outdoor scenes, Degas often explored the intellectual and social dynamics of indoor settings. Today, this iconic representation of a shared moment between two masters of modern art resides in the distinguished collection of the National Gallery of Art, where high-quality prints and reproductions are frequently accessed by scholars and the public.
Important: ArtBee makes no warranties about the copyright status of this artwork. To the best of our knowledge, based on information from the source museum, we believe this work is in the public domain.
You are responsible for determining the rights status and securing any permissions needed for your use. Copyright status may vary by jurisdiction. See our License & Usage page and Terms of Service for details.