Under the Horse-Chestnut Tree

Under the Horse-Chestnut Tree is an important print created by the American artist Mary Cassatt in 1896. This work, classified as a fine art print, showcases Cassatt’s refined technical mastery through the combined use of drypoint and aquatint. The drypoint process allows the artist to achieve sharp, delicate lines and a characteristic velvety burr, while the addition of aquatint provides rich tonal gradation and subtle atmospheric texture. This approach creates a depth and complexity rarely found in contemporaneous graphic works.

Although primarily recognized as an expatriate working within the French Impressionist movement, Cassatt remained a crucial American voice in modern art, focusing intently on the intimate, domestic sphere. The specific period of 1896–97 represents a sustained peak in the artist’s dedication to the graphic arts, where she frequently explored the tender bond between women and children. The outdoor setting suggested by the title indicates an interest in integrating the figures within a natural environment, utilizing the dense canopy of the chestnut tree to create dappled light and shadow effects. This exploration of plein air printmaking required sophisticated handling of the medium to balance careful draftsmanship with painterly, subtle tonal shifts.

The sustained quality and innovation evident in these late-century prints cemented Cassatt’s legacy as a graphic artist, proving that the medium could achieve the emotional resonance often reserved for paintings and pastels. Her contributions to the field were essential in elevating the status of fine art prints among both European and American artists of her generation. This specific impression of Under the Horse-Chestnut Tree is held in the esteemed collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). As historical works, these impactful prints contribute significantly to art scholarship and continue to define the evolution of American printmaking at the turn of the 20th century.