Maternal Caress

Maternal Caress by Mary Cassatt (American, 1844-1926), executed between 1890 and 1891 in collaboration with the French printer Leroy, is a masterful example of the artist's technical dedication to color printmaking. This sophisticated print combines color aquatint and drypoint techniques, pulled from three separate plates onto ivory laid paper. Cassatt further utilized the demanding à la poupée (printed with the doll) method, where colored ink is applied selectively by hand directly onto the plate before printing, allowing for subtle gradations and soft color fields within the composition.

Cassatt dedicated much of her later career to the intimate portrayal of women and children, elevating the everyday bond of motherhood into a central motif of modern art. The delicate outlines and innovative cropping seen in this piece demonstrate the strong influence of Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints, which had a profound impact on Impressionist artists working in Paris. As one of the most prominent artists from the United States working internationally, Cassatt was instrumental in refining the color aquatint process and advancing the status of prints within fine art circles globally.

The tender interaction and focused composition of Maternal Caress cement its place as a key graphic work from the turn of the century. This print is held in the distinguished collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Due to the historical age and critical importance of Cassatt’s œuvre, this work and related prints are often made available through public domain initiatives, ensuring widespread scholarly access to the artist’s legacy.