Artwork
A Portrait of the Artist's Mother
A Portrait of the Artist's Mother is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Mary Cassatt. It dates from 1890 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
A Portrait of the Artist's Mother is a print by Mary Cassatt, created around 1890 using softground etching and aquatint techniques on laid paper.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts the artist's mother in profile, dressed in dark attire with a light shawl, holding a fan and flowers. Her calm demeanor and thoughtful pose convey a sense of serenity. The portrait is one of several Cassatt made of her mother, exploring themes of maternal intimacy.
Technique & Style
Cassatt employed softground etching and aquatint to achieve textured lines and subtle shading in soft brown tones. The technique allowed for a nuanced representation of her subject, with the plain background emphasizing the figure.
Artist & collection
Artist
Mary Stevenson Cassatt (; May 22, 1844 – June 14, 1926) was an American painter and printmaker.
