The Fitting

The Fitting is a major color print created by American artist Mary Cassatt between 1890 and 1891. This complex work was executed using a sophisticated combination of printmaking techniques: color drypoint, softground etching, and aquatint, rendered upon laid paper. The layered media demonstrate Cassatt’s intensive commitment to developing a unique graphic style influenced heavily by her study of Japanese ukiyo-e prints, which she encountered in Paris during the late 1880s.

Belonging to the period spanning 1876 to 1900, this piece exemplifies Cassatt’s mature artistic phase, characterized by bold compositions, flattened planes, and an emphasis on texture over deep spatial recession. The softground etching provided the foundation for delicate line work, while the application of aquatint allowed for subtle gradations and broad, translucent fields of color. This mastery of demanding technical processes solidified Cassatt’s reputation not only as a leading figure in American Impressionism but also as one of the era’s foremost graphic artists.

Cassatt frequently devoted her art to the intimate, private lives of women, elevating everyday domestic activities into significant subjects. While the exact visual details of The Fitting are inferred from the title, the work typically captures an unidealized moment between two female figures focused on the ritual of dressmaking or preparation. This print illustrates the artist’s commitment to capturing modern life while experimenting with non-Western artistic traditions. This significant example of late nineteenth-century graphic art is held in the distinguished collection of the National Gallery of Art. Because many of the works created by American artists in the period 1876 to 1900 are now accessible, high-resolution reproductions of this print are often available to researchers through institutions contributing to the public domain.