Who painted Gathering Fruit?

Gathering Fruit was painted by Mary Cassatt in 1893.

Where can I see Gathering Fruit?

Gathering Fruit is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Gathering Fruit?

Gathering Fruit is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Gathering Fruit

Mary Cassatt , 1893

Gathering Fruit is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Mary Cassatt. It dates from 1893 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1893, *Gathering Fruit* is a print by Mary Cassatt executed with drypoint and soft‑ground etching on laid paper. The work presents a quiet domestic scene in which a woman and a child are together among the branches of a fruit‑bearing tree, surrounded by foliage and a faint architectural backdrop.

Subject & Meaning

The composition focuses on the interaction between the adult female figure and the child, emphasizing care and shared activity. By portraying the woman lifting the child to reach the fruit, Cassatt underscores themes of nurturing and the everyday rituals that bind generations.

Technique & Style

Cassett’s use of drypoint yields fine, velvety lines, while the soft‑ground etching allows for broader, more painterly areas of tone. The laid paper surface contributes a subtle texture that enhances the impression of natural light filtering through leaves, aligning the piece with the broader Impressionist interest in fleeting moments.

History & Provenance

An American artist who spent much of her career in France, Cassatt was closely linked to the Impressionist circle, notably Edgar Degas. *Gathering Fruit* was produced during the later phase of her printmaking, a period when she regularly exhibited works that explored maternal and child subjects.

Context

The print reflects Cassatt’s sustained focus on intimate, domestic interiors and outdoor activities involving women and children—a subject she returned to throughout her oeuvre. Its serene atmosphere and simple setting echo the Impressionist aim to capture ordinary life with immediacy and sensitivity.