The Fitting [recto]

"The Fitting [recto]" by Mary Cassatt, created between 1890 and 1891, is classified as a drawing reflecting the artist's preparatory methods for a larger, finished composition. This intimate study was executed using graphite over black chalk on wove paper. The layering of mediums reveals Cassatt’s meticulous process: the black chalk likely established the initial figures, volumes, and compositional structure, while the more precise graphite was applied subsequently to refine contours, model forms, and intensify crucial areas of shadow. The relative absence of color in this work emphasizes the pure draftsmanship and keen observation required to capture the figures' posture and intimate interaction.

Belonging to the crucial artistic period of 1876 to 1900, this American artist frequently utilized themes focused on interiority and the modern woman. Though she spent the majority of her artistic life among the Parisian Impressionists, Cassatt’s signature style involved depicting the private, ritualized interactions within women’s domestic lives, often centered around acts of care, dressing, or simple leisure. The subject, implied by the title, focuses on a moment of fitting or adjustment of clothing, allowing Cassatt to explore the physical and emotional relationship between the two figures without the distraction of a fully colored, detailed setting.

This specific preparatory piece resides in the esteemed permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., serving as a vital example of Cassatt’s graphic output during her mature period. The drawing’s existence underscores the importance of preliminary studies in the development of her famed paintings and color prints. As one of the most significant figures of the American art movement during the late 19th century, Cassatt’s enduring influence ensures continuous scholarly interest. Many related artworks from the 1876 to 1900 period are increasingly accessible, and high-quality prints of her finest work are widely studied and celebrated through institutional and public domain collections worldwide.