Susan and Child Facing each Other

Susan and Child Facing each Other is a sensitive and technically sophisticated print created by Mary Cassatt American, 1844-1926, dating from the period 1878-1888. This piece demonstrates Cassatt’s mastery of intaglio techniques, utilizing both etching and drypoint on cream laid paper. The combination of mediums allowed the artist to achieve varied line qualities, from the crisp precision of etched lines to the rich, blurred texture generated by the burr in the drypoint process, particularly evident in the dark accents and soft contours defining the figures. The subject matter, an intimate pairing of mother and child, aligns with the dominant theme that occupied Cassatt throughout her career.

Though she spent the majority of her professional life in France, Cassatt remains one of the most significant artists from the United States to align with the Impressionist movement. This work captures a quiet, direct moment of engagement, avoiding sentimental excess while conveying a deep connection between the two subjects. The composition focuses intently on the figures’ faces and gestures, emphasizing the psychological reality of their relationship. The span of years provided for the dating suggests that the artist may have reworked the plate or pulled impressions throughout that decade, reflecting her ongoing dedication to the complexities of printmaking. This evocative example of Cassatt’s graphic oeuvre is preserved within the distinguished collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.