The Picture Book (No. 1)

The Picture Book (No. 1) by Mary Cassatt, executed in 1901, is a significant example of the artist's dedication to printmaking, specifically the drypoint technique. Drypoint, a form of intaglio printing, involves scratching directly into a copper plate with a sharp needle, creating a raised burr that holds ink, resulting in a rich, velvety line quality. Cassatt was renowned for her sensitive handling of this medium, often favoring it for the immediacy it offered compared to etching, allowing her to rapidly capture the fleeting dynamics of domestic life. This particular print showcases her most enduring theme: intimate scenes involving mothers and children.

Active primarily in Paris, Cassatt maintained her identity as a key American artist, documenting the interior lives of women and children in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Produced early in the period of 1901 to 1925, the piece captures a moment of quiet focus—a young child absorbed in reading or viewing pictures alongside an adult figure, likely the mother or governess. Cassatt focused intently on the concentration inherent in these shared domestic rituals, elevating everyday observation into high art. Cassatt’s stylistic approach in this era emphasized sophisticated composition and form while retaining the soft atmosphere unique to the drypoint process, avoiding unnecessary sentimentality in favor of genuine observation.

This compelling drypoint is currently held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Like many of Cassatt’s mature prints, The Picture Book (No. 1) demonstrates her technical mastery and consistent thematic concerns regarding motherhood and literacy. Because of its age and cultural significance, this work and high-quality reproductions are often accessible in the public domain, making Cassatt’s profound contribution to early modern American art widely available for study and appreciation.