The Letter

"The Letter," created by Mary Cassatt between 1890 and 1891, is a significant example of the artist's dedication to printmaking during the late 19th century. This sophisticated American piece utilizes the demanding, multi-layered technique of color drypoint, softground etching, and aquatint, executed meticulously on laid paper. The combination of these mediums allowed Cassatt to achieve subtle tonal shifts and delicate textures that mimic the appearance of watercolor or pastel, pushing the boundaries of traditional color prints at the time.

Cassatt, despite being an expatriate American working primarily in France, became a crucial figure in the Impressionist movement and its graphic derivations. Her intense focus on printmaking, particularly during the years 1890 to 1891, was heavily informed by her exposure to Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints, which were then circulating widely in European artistic circles. This Japanese influence manifests in the flattened picture plane, the asymmetrical composition, and the use of bold lines to delineate form, characteristics clearly visible in The Letter.

The work falls squarely within the aesthetic framework of the period 1876 to 1900, representing Cassatt’s transition from oil painting toward dedicated exploration of graphic processes. The subject matter, which typically centers on the intimate, private lives and domestic rituals of women, reinforces the quiet intensity achieved through her chosen print medium. Here, the focus is on a woman engrossed in the act of correspondence, capturing a moment of concentration and inner life.

As one of Cassatt’s most celebrated prints, The Letter provides invaluable insight into the era’s evolving aesthetic tastes and her role as a pioneering innovator among women artists. This important piece is housed within the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, where it serves as a testament to the artist’s technical rigor. Because of its historical and cultural significance, high-quality prints of this work are sometimes made available through public domain initiatives, cementing Cassatt’s legacy for future generations.