Mother's Kiss

"Mother's Kiss," created by Mary Cassatt between 1890 and 1891, is a delicate drypoint print rendered on Japanese paper. This particular work exemplifies Cassatt’s dedicated exploration of printmaking techniques during the late 19th century, aligning precisely with the pivotal American art period designated as 1876 to 1900.

The piece captures the quintessential subject matter of Cassatt's artistic focus: the profound and tender relationship between a mother and her young child, often depicted in quiet, intimate moments of domestic life. Though an American expatriate working primarily in Paris alongside the Impressionists, Cassatt maintained a distinct voice and subject sensibility. Her choice of the drypoint method allowed her to achieve rich, velvety lines and subtle tonal variations through the burr created by the needle incision, enhancing the immediacy and depth of the emotional connection portrayed. The inherent softness and absorbency of the Japanese paper further contribute to the print's gentle quality.

Cassatt was profoundly influenced by the Japanese ukiyo-e prints circulating in Paris, and this graphic sensibility is subtly evident in the composition and the focus on simplified forms found in Mother's Kiss. As a master of the printed medium, Cassatt elevated prints from mere reproductions to celebrated fine art forms. This technique proved integral to her mature style, which focused on capturing universal, unidealized domestic interactions rather than formal portraits. This significant American work resides today in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., where it is preserved for public scholarship and appreciation. As a historical work, this drypoint, like many of Cassatt’s graphic masterpieces, is often considered part of the public domain, allowing for broader engagement with her mastery of the graphic arts.