Mimi as a Brunette

Mimi as a Brunette is an intimate drypoint print created by the American Impressionist Mary Cassatt in 1889. This striking example of Cassatt’s graphic work was produced using the drypoint technique on laid paper. This method involves drawing directly onto a copper plate with a sharp point, raising a burr that captures the ink and creates characteristic velvety, soft lines when printed.

Dating from the Period 1876 to 1900, this piece exemplifies the artist’s focused interest in capturing private moments and the female figure, often featuring family members or close acquaintances. Though widely known for her paintings of mothers and children, Cassatt was a master printmaker. She refined her printmaking techniques in the late 1880s and 1890s, often employing drypoint alone or in combination with etching and aquatint to achieve varied textures and depths of tone. This particular image, showcasing a sensitive portrayal of Mimi, highlights the technical finesse that secured Cassatt’s reputation among her peers, particularly Edgar Degas, who championed her early graphic experiments.

As a leading figure of the American expatriate community in Paris, Cassatt played a pivotal role in bringing Impressionist principles to American art. Her contributions remain essential to understanding the evolution of the American art scene during this transformative era, documented by the period 1876 to 1900. The work remains an important record of the artist's dedication to the print medium, contributing significantly to the tradition of American prints. This original impression of Mimi as a Brunette is held within the esteemed collection of the National Gallery of Art, where it is preserved for study and public display. As a seminal work from the late nineteenth century, it is frequently reproduced, often available through public domain channels for academic and non-commercial uses.