Mother's Kiss

Mother's Kiss is a complex and arresting color print created by the American artist Mary Cassatt between 1890 and 1891. This exceptional work utilizes a sophisticated combination of printmaking techniques, including color drypoint, softground etching, and aquatint, expertly applied to delicate Japanese paper. This intricate process allowed Cassatt to achieve subtle color gradients and rich textural complexity that mimic the appearance of painting or pastel.

The subject matter, focusing on the intimate bond between a mother and child, is characteristic of Cassatt’s dedication to depicting the modern private lives of women. Created during the transformative period spanning 1876 to 1900, this piece reflects the artist's engagement with late Impressionism while demonstrating the profound influence of Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints on her graphic style. The flattened pictorial space, clear outlines, and focus on pattern evident in this print all stem from this engagement with East Asian aesthetics.

While based primarily in France, Cassatt remained fundamentally American, often bringing a distinct clarity and dignity to her depictions of domesticity that resonated with audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. The tenderness of the central interaction in this print is enhanced by the careful balance of line and tone achieved through the laborious technique.

This significant example of late 19th-century graphic arts is preserved within the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art. Cassatt's dedication to developing color prints resulted in a series of masterworks that defined her contribution to the history of fin de siècle art. Many of these important American prints are now frequently available through resources offering access to works in the public domain.