Waiting was painted by Mary Cassatt in 1879.

Where can I see Waiting?

Waiting is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Waiting?

Waiting is associated with Impressionism.

Waiting by Mary Cassatt (1879) — Meaning & Museum

About this work

Overview

Waiting, executed circa 1879, is an intaglio print by American-born artist Mary Cassatt. The work combines aquatint with soft‑ground etching, allowing for both delicate tonal washes and crisp line work. It presents a quiet interior scene, rendered in muted hues that emphasize atmosphere over detail, and exemplifies Cassatt’s interest in domestic subjects during her mature period.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a solitary woman seated in a sparsely furnished room, her shawl draped over her shoulders and hands folded in her lap.

The composition centers on a solitary woman seated in a sparsely furnished room, her shawl draped over her shoulders and hands folded in her lap. Her gaze is averted, suggesting introspection or a moment of private contemplation. The image reflects Cassatt’s broader focus on women’s everyday lives, particularly the nuanced bonds between mothers and their children, even when presented without overt narrative.

Technique & Style

Cassatt employed a hybrid of aquatint and soft‑ground etching, a process that captures both velvety tonal fields and the texture of the artist’s hand‑drawn lines. The soft‑ground technique records the grainy quality of the paper, while aquatint creates the subtle, cloud‑like shadows that give the interior its dim, atmospheric quality. This combination yields a surface that feels tactile and layered.

History & Provenance

Born in Pennsylvania in 1844, Cassatt relocated to Paris in her early twenties, where she joined a circle that included Edgar Degas and participated in Impressionist exhibitions. Although primarily known for her paintings and pastels, she produced a modest number of prints, of which Waiting is a representative example. The work has circulated through several European and American collections since its early exhibition.

Context

Created during a period when Cassatt was consolidating her reputation among the Impressionists, Waiting reflects the era’s preoccupation with modern life and the private sphere. Its intimate portrayal of a woman in a domestic setting aligns with contemporary debates about gender roles and the visibility of women’s experiences in art. The print continues to be cited in studies of Cassatt’s printmaking practice and of late‑19th‑century depictions of everyday life.