Quietude

Quietude is a significant print created by Mary Cassatt in 1891. Executed using the drypoint technique on delicate Japanese paper, this work exemplifies the American artist’s profound mastery of graphic arts during the late 19th century. The drypoint method involves drawing directly onto the copper plate with a sharp needle, which raises a characteristic burr of metal along the line. This burr holds ink, resulting in rich, velvety lines that lend the final impression a soft, yet immediate quality. Cassatt, heavily influenced by the compositional simplicity and spatial flattening found in Japanese ukiyo-e prints, capitalized on the expressive potential of the drypoint line to capture intimate moments.

Belonging to the period spanning 1876 to 1900, this piece reflects the aesthetic concerns of the Impressionist movement, prioritizing fleeting gestures and scenes of everyday life over historical or allegorical narratives. While Cassatt is renowned for her depictions of mothers and children, Quietude likely focuses on an introspective moment of a single figure, emphasizing tranquility and psychological depth through minimal setting and the expressive power of contour. Cassatt was unique among the leading American artists of her time for her deep involvement in the Parisian avant-garde, bringing a sensitive, modern approach to the representation of women in private, contemporary settings. Her dedication to creating high-quality prints ensured her distinctive artistic vision reached a wider audience.

The nuanced use of light and shadow achieved through the careful handling of the drypoint medium underscores the work’s classification as a powerful example of fin-de-siècle graphic arts. This impression demonstrates Cassatt's exceptional skill in composition and her ability to suggest volume and atmosphere solely through linear definition. This important work, representing a key moment in the history of American printmaking, is preserved in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art.