The Bath [verso]

Mary Cassatt's work, The Bath [verso], created between 1890 and 1891, is classified as a Drawing, executed using the delicate process of transferred softground combined with graphite. This specific medium allows for subtle tonal variations, bridging the gap between drawing and printmaking techniques and demonstrating the artist's intense focus on graphic arts during this prolific period. Cassatt, a leading figure in American art, was deeply invested in experimenting with reproductive media, often influenced by the aesthetic principles and flat planes of Japanese ukiyo-e woodcuts, which were highly fashionable in Paris at the time. The period from 1876 to 1900 was characterized by this innovative cross-cultural embrace of techniques among Western artists.

This piece showcases Cassatt’s characteristic focus on intimate domestic scenes, specifically those centering on women and children engaged in private daily rituals. While the recto (front) of such works typically contains the finalized composition, the verso often reveals underlying structural studies or preparatory sketching, providing unique insight into the artist’s methodology and developing forms. Cassatt consistently observed the quiet, unsentimentalized bonds between mothers and their young, offering a modern, grounded perspective on traditional maternal portraiture. The nuanced application of transferred softground etching reveals her dedication to tonal complexity even in preliminary phases.

Though an expatriate living predominantly in France, Cassatt maintained a distinctly American independence while merging academic training with the radical visual ideas of the French Impressionists. Her commitment to the graphic arts resulted in a landmark series of color prints around this time. This drawing resides in the esteemed permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, where it serves as a crucial example of Cassatt’s mastery of the graphic medium. As this work represents significant art from the late 19th century, high-resolution prints and reference materials are widely available through public domain initiatives, ensuring access for scholars and enthusiasts globally.