The Bath

The Bath by Mary Cassatt (1890-1891) is a seminal example of the artist’s mastery of complex printmaking techniques, representing the peak of her graphic output. This intimate portrayal was executed using a demanding combination of color drypoint, softground etching, and aquatint on laid paper. As an American expatriate artist working primarily in France during the period of 1876 to 1900, Cassatt developed a unique synthesis of European Impressionist aesthetics and the structural lessons derived from Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints, which were immensely influential in Paris during this time. The multi-layered technique allows for both delicate line work and rich, subtle fields of color that characterize her domestic scenes.

Cassatt frequently explored the private, domestic sphere, focusing on the lives of women and children, lending an intimate yet unsentimental perspective to moments of everyday ritual. In The Bath, she captures a quiet interaction between a mother and child, emphasizing the tenderness of the bond through form and posture. The combination of drypoint provides the crisp, expressive contours defining the figures, while the softground etching adds necessary textural variation. The skillful application of aquatint provides the subtle tonal gradations, crucial for achieving the delicate balance of light and shadow on skin and fabric, elevating this piece among the finest prints created in the late nineteenth century.

This work belongs to a significant series of ten color prints Cassatt produced between 1890 and 1891. Unlike many Impressionists who favored oil painting, Cassatt dedicated substantial energy to elevating the status of the print medium, often meticulously managing the production process herself to control the final outcome of the colors and textures. As a leading American figure exhibiting alongside the French Impressionists, Cassatt helped establish modern sensibilities across cultures. This exquisite print is preserved within the collection of the National Gallery of Art, offering scholars and the public an invaluable example of late 19th-century American graphic art. Because of its historical and cultural significance, high-quality reproductions of this work are frequently available via resources guided by public domain policies, ensuring wide educational access.