Mary Cassatt at the Louvre: The Paintings Gallery is a significant work created by Edgar Degas French, 1834-1917, in 1885. This intimate, yet formal, portrayal captures fellow American artist Mary Cassatt seated within the grand setting of the Louvre museum in Paris, France. Classified technically as a print, the finished piece exhibits a complex combination of techniques that push the boundaries between reproducible media and unique drawing.
Degas was known for his restless experimentation across diverse artistic forms, and this work exemplifies his innovative approach. The creation began with a foundation employing etching, aquatint, drypoint, and the seldom-used crayon électrique on tan wove paper. Degas then layered pastel directly onto this prepared surface. This hybrid method, combining the reproducible permanence of prints with the unique color and immediacy of the pastel medium, allowed Degas to manipulate texture and light in ways that were highly personalized and expressive.
The subject matter provides crucial cultural context regarding the Parisian artistic environment during the 1880s. The image features Cassatt, a major figure within the Impressionism movement, observing masterpieces in the Louvre’s esteemed paintings gallery. The depiction of Cassatt, often shown viewing works with another visitor, speaks to the social ritual of museum attendance and the importance of canonical study even for radical artists. It further highlights the strong professional bond and mutual respect between Degas and Cassatt, two key figures in the development of late nineteenth-century Impressionism.
This technically sophisticated and historically important work, representing a pivotal moment in the graphic arts, is valued both for its technical innovation and its historical depiction of a major female artist at work. The piece is permanently housed in the esteemed collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, offering scholars and enthusiasts access to this masterful intersection of printmaking and drawing.
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.