The Bath

The Bath, created by Mary Cassatt between 1890 and 1891, is a masterful example of late 19th-century graphic arts, highlighting the artist’s deep engagement with innovative printmaking techniques. This complex piece, classified as a print, showcases Cassatt’s ability to combine multiple, demanding media. She meticulously used color drypoint, softground etching, and aquatint on laid paper to achieve remarkably delicate tonal variations and distinct textures, making each impression unique. This multi-step process reflects the profound impact of Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints on her aesthetic choices during the 1876 to 1900 period.

The subject, characteristic of Cassatt’s œuvre, captures an intimate domestic moment: a woman tenderly bathing her young child. Cassatt frequently explored the private rituals and relationships between women and children, offering honest, unidealized glimpses into daily life. The composition utilizes a high viewpoint, a formal device borrowed from Japanese art, which flattens the perspective and emphasizes pattern over three-dimensional realism. The strong contour lines and the careful selection of color unify the two figures, reinforcing the maternal connection without sentimentality.

As a leading American artist working internationally, Cassatt was instrumental in introducing avant-garde Impressionist sensibilities to the United States, even as she evolved her own post-Impressionist graphic style. Her dedicated pursuit of printmaking resulted in some of the most recognized prints of the late nineteenth century. This significant work resides in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, where it serves as a cornerstone of their American holdings. Due to its importance and historical date, high-quality reproductions of this artwork are often shared within the public domain.