Artwork
The Fitting
The Fitting 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
The Fitting, created by Mary Cassatt in 1890, is a print utilizing a combination of color drypoint, softground etching, and aquatint on laid paper. This work exemplifies Cassatt's focus on intimate domestic scenes, characteristic of her association with the Impressionist movement.
Subject & Meaning
The print captures a private, everyday moment of a woman being fitted for a garment in a dimly lit room. The scene emphasizes the quiet interaction between three women, highlighting the artist's interest in depicting relationships between females in personal, mundane settings.
Technique & Style
Cassatt employed loose, sketchy lines to convey movement and the folds of fabric, a technique common among late 19th-century artists. The interplay of softground etching, aquatint, and color drypoint achieves a soft, nuanced lighting effect, complemented by the subtle texture of the laid paper.
History & Provenance
As an American expatriate in France, Cassatt's work was influenced by her association with Edgar Degas and her participation in Impressionist exhibitions. The exact provenance of *The Fitting* is not detailed here, but its creation in 1890 places it within Cassatt's prolific period of exploring domestic themes.
Context
*The Fitting* reflects the late 19th-century artistic shift towards capturing everyday life. Cassatt's choice of subject matter also speaks to the gender-focused themes of her work, often portraying women in quiet, personal moments, distinct from the public sphere.
Legacy
While specific legacy details of *The Fitting* are not provided, the work contributes to Cassatt's broader legacy of elevating domestic and female-centric scenes within the Impressionist movement, influencing subsequent generations of artists exploring similar themes.
Artist & collection
Artist
Mary Stevenson Cassatt (; May 22, 1844 – June 14, 1926) was an American painter and printmaker.
