Peasant Mother and Child

Peasant Mother and Child, created by American artist Mary Cassatt in 1894, is a defining example of the artist’s sensitive approach to maternal imagery and her technical mastery of graphic media. Realized during the pivotal period between 1876 to 1900, this intimate work captures a moment of domestic quietude, utilizing the complex technique of color drypoint and aquatint.

The creation of the piece required extreme precision, involving multiple copper plates and controlled applications of ground to achieve varied tonal gradients. Cassatt employed the sharp, expressive lines characteristic of drypoint to define the figures, while the broader, atmospheric washes provided by the aquatint technique lend the scene a soft, almost ethereal quality. This technique allowed Cassatt to achieve rich colors and nuanced textures usually associated with painting, cementing her reputation as one of the great printmakers of the era.

The subject matter, focusing on a humble, perhaps rural, mother and child, reflects Cassatt’s enduring fascination with the domestic sphere and her desire to elevate scenes of daily life. Unlike the sophisticated Parisian portraits she also produced, Peasant Mother and Child evokes a sense of universal tenderness. Cassatt was profoundly influenced by the aesthetic innovations of Japanese woodblock prints, adapting their flattened planes, bold outlines, and asymmetric compositions into her own distinctly American Impressionist style.

As a highly valued print from the late nineteenth century, this work remains a critical component of graphic art history. It is classified as an important print within the extensive holdings of the National Gallery of Art. Due to its historical significance and age, this work frequently appears in public domain collections, ensuring its accessibility for study and appreciation.