On the Balcony

On the Balcony by Mary Cassatt American, 1844-1926, is a delicate example of the artist’s mastery of the printmaking process. Created across the decade between 1884 and 1894, this intimate work is executed as a soft-ground etching in black on fine ivory laid paper. Soft-ground etching was a preferred method for Cassatt, allowing her to achieve textural variety and subtle tonal shifts that closely mimic the appearance of crayon or pencil drawings, lending the final piece an immediate, draft-like quality. Cassatt, a pivotal figure connecting artistic movements in the United States and Europe, frequently explored domestic settings and the inner, private lives of women, themes often viewed from the perspective of an observant insider.

Cassatt developed a highly sophisticated approach to graphic arts throughout her career, utilizing techniques borrowed from Japanese ukiyo-e prints while simultaneously addressing the contemporary social dynamics of the late nineteenth century. Although the subject matter of On the Balcony is implied, it aligns with Cassatt’s focus on figures observing a scene from an elevated vantage point, emphasizing the act of looking and quiet contemplation central to her Impressionist practice. The precision required for soft-ground prints underscores the artist’s dedication to mastering multiple media. This significant work is classified specifically as a print and is housed within the prestigious collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, securing its place among important American prints of the period.