Mary Cassatt at the Louvre: The Paintings Gallery

Mary Cassatt at the Louvre: The Paintings Gallery by Edgar Degas, executed between 1879 and 1880, is a masterful example of the artist’s deep engagement with the challenging medium of prints. This iconic French artist utilized a complex, multi-layered blend of etching, soft-ground etching, aquatint, and drypoint on wove paper, showcasing his innovative approach to graphic arts during the pivotal period of 1876 to 1900.

The composition captures the American Impressionist painter Mary Cassatt, Degas's friend and frequent collaborator, navigating the vast halls of the Musée du Louvre in Paris. She is depicted in two distinct poses: walking with an open umbrella, and standing before a large canvas, possibly observing or sketching the Old Masters displayed. The artwork moves beyond a simple portrait; it functions as an insightful commentary on the intellectual role of the modern woman artist in the traditional, male-dominated art world of 19th-century Paris. Degas frequently explored the candid moments of daily life, and here he turns his gaze upon the focused, observant environment of the museum setting.

The use of combined techniques allows Degas to achieve a remarkable range of textural richness and atmospheric depth rarely seen in standard etching. The soft-ground etching provides broad, velvety areas, particularly in the shadows and Cassatt's voluminous clothing, while the drypoint adds sharp, immediate linear quality, contrasting light and shadow effectively. This sophisticated approach solidified Degas’s reputation as a printmaker as well as a painter. This essential piece of graphic art is currently held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, where it serves as a key reference for understanding Degas's technical experimentation and his professional relationship with Cassatt.