"Maternal Caress," created by Mary Cassatt between 1890 and 1891, is a masterful example of the artist's dedication to complex color printmaking. This delicate work is achieved through a sophisticated combination of techniques, notably color drypoint, softground etching, and aquatint. Cassatt’s experimental and technically challenging use of these media places the piece squarely within the peak of late 19th-century graphic arts. Produced during the period spanning 1876 to 1900, the work reflects the growing sophistication of American artists working internationally. Cassatt, an expatriate working primarily in Paris, applied the aesthetic concerns of painting to the exacting process of creating multi-plate color prints.
The artist's chosen subject matter focuses intimately on the universal theme of mother and child, a motif Cassatt returned to throughout her career. Unlike many of her Impressionist contemporaries, Cassatt often concentrated on domestic interiors and the psychological relationship between caregivers and infants. The composition is characterized by flattened perspective, simplified color fields, and strong outlines, elements strongly suggesting the influence of Japanese ukiyo-e prints, which were highly fashionable in Parisian artistic circles during this time. The soft tonal gradations achieved through the aquatint process lend a gentle atmosphere fitting for the tender interaction depicted.
Classified definitively as a Print, this significant work underscores Cassatt’s pivotal role in elevating graphic art to the status of fine art. The composition captures a moment of intense, quiet affection, distinguishing it among her finest graphic achievements. This important example of American expatriate art is housed in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Because of the enduring popularity and historical significance of the image, high-quality prints and reference materials related to Maternal Caress are frequently utilized in educational materials, sometimes entering the public domain for wider accessibility.
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