Mary Cassatt in the Paintings Gallery at the Louvre

The print Mary Cassatt in the Paintings Gallery at the Louvre was created by Edgar Degas French, 1834-1917, between 1879 and 1880. This significant work is a sophisticated demonstration of graphic media, executed through a complex combination of etching, soft ground etching, aquatint, and drypoint on grayish-ivory wove paper. This multi-layered technical approach underscores Degas's persistent experimentation and his dedication to mastering the varied textural possibilities inherent in fine art prints during this period.

Created during the height of the Impressionism movement, this intimate scene provides a glimpse into the artistic circles of late 19th-century France. The work depicts Degas’s colleague and friend, the American painter Mary Cassatt, engrossed in viewing masterworks within the prestigious confines of the Louvre Museum. The observational quality of the piece is characteristic of the Impressionist focus on modern life and candid, unposed moments, captured outside the formality of the studio. While Degas is famed for his paintings and pastels, his explorations in printmaking were vital to his artistic output, allowing him to capture the nuances of light and shadow through complex tonal gradations achieved with aquatint.

The combination of techniques employed by Degas lends a rich, atmospheric texture to the composition, effectively distinguishing it from simpler etchings of the era. The soft ground process, in particular, contributes to the delicate, nuanced quality of the lines. This highly regarded example of the printmaker's craft provides valuable insight into the dynamic relationship between two major figures of the era and the evolving role of women artists accessing established cultural institutions. This important print is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it serves as a key document of artistic and social life in Paris during the Impressionist period.