The Lamp

The Lamp, created by Mary Cassatt between 1890 and 1891, is a technically sophisticated example of graphic art from the late nineteenth century. Classified as a print, this piece demonstrates the artist’s mastery of demanding and multi-layered processes, combining color drypoint, softground etching, and aquatint, all executed upon laid paper. This meticulous technical approach allowed Cassatt to achieve complex tonal variations and delicate shifts in color rarely seen in the etchings of her peers during the influential period spanning 1876 to 1900.

Though she was American, Cassatt spent the majority of her artistic life in France, where she was the only American invited to exhibit with the Impressionists. Her focus in this era shifted toward exploring compositions inspired by Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints, which were highly fashionable among Parisian avant-garde circles. This influence is often visible in her simplified forms, subtle patterning, and the flattening of the picture plane. This work, signaled by the title The Lamp, centers on an interior domestic subject, a common theme throughout her mature oeuvre that allowed her to explore the intimate bonds and quiet moments of daily life.

Cassatt’s pioneering efforts in color printmaking established her as a major figure in the history of American art. The work resides within the esteemed collection of the National Gallery of Art, where it serves as a testament to her technical innovation and stylistic development. As this piece dates from the 1890s, high-quality images and prints are frequently available through public domain initiatives, ensuring widespread scholarly and popular appreciation of this defining graphic work.