The Map

The Map by Mary Cassatt American, 1844-1926, is a sophisticated example of the artist's dedication to printmaking, executed in 1890. This print employs the challenging drypoint technique, rendered in rich brown ink upon ivory laid paper, showcasing the technical finesse Cassatt achieved in the graphic arts toward the end of the century.

Drypoint, which involves scratching directly into a copper plate with a sharp needle, produces a distinctive soft, velvety line created by the burr raised alongside the furrow. Cassatt often favored this medium in the 1890s, using it to refine her approach to texture and immediacy while capturing intimate domestic scenes. This work, classified as a fine art print, underscores her commitment to utilizing etching and drypoint not merely as preparatory sketches but as finished artworks deserving of independent exhibition.

Though she spent the majority of her professional life as an expatriate in France, Cassatt remains one of the most important United States artists of her era, bridging European Impressionism with American sensibilities. Her graphic works are crucial to understanding the output of the period. The work is currently housed in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it serves as a key reference for studying Cassatt's mastery of the plate. As a significant piece from 1890, this image and many other Cassatt prints are increasingly moving into the public domain, ensuring wide accessibility for educational purposes and appreciation worldwide.