The Coiffure

"The Coiffure," created by Mary Cassatt between 1890 and 1891, stands as one of the most celebrated examples of her printmaking achievements and a cornerstone of late 19th-century American graphic art. This remarkable piece is classified as a print, utilizing the complex, multi-stage process of color drypoint, softground etching, and aquatint, applied expertly to laid paper. The combination of these diverse techniques allowed Cassatt to achieve a depth of color, textural subtlety, and atmospheric effect rarely seen in graphic art of the period.

The subject matter depicts a woman seated before a mirror or dressing table, engaged in the intimate, quiet act of arranging her hair—a quintessential theme that Cassatt repeatedly explored throughout her career. Made during the highly productive period spanning 1876 to 1900, this work reflects the profound influence of Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints, which had recently gained popularity in Paris. As an American artist deeply integrated into the French avant-garde, Cassatt adapted the Japanese emphasis on flat planes of color, bold compositional angles, and the elevation of domestic moments into serious artistic studies.

Cassatt’s use of light and shadow, combined with the precise definition afforded by drypoint lines, imbues the figure in The Coiffure with a sense of dignity and introspection. The technical mastery required for these ambitious color prints involved aligning multiple plates treated with different media to achieve the final, nuanced image. This significant series cemented Cassatt's reputation as a leader in reviving color printmaking. Today, this masterwork is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Due to its cultural significance and age, the image is widely referenced, with high-quality prints and materials often accessible through public domain collections worldwide.