ALLEGRA JACOBS AND KATIE BERKELHAMER

Mary Cassatt

Biography

o Artistic influences: Edgar Degas,

Edouard Manet, and young American

artists

oRole in Impressionist Era: Mary

became famous for her portraits while

many of her fellow Impressionists were

focused on landscapes and street scenes.

oSubject choice: Drawn to women in

everyday domestic settings, and mothers

with their children.

oLayout Style: Early works portrayed

delicacy, the effects of light and shadow of

the style.

In the Loge (1880)

o Portrait of a woman at the

opera – looking at someone or

something

o Location: Museum Of Fine

Arts, Boston MA

o This painting shows us that

Mary understands that the act of

viewing (either a portrait or

human beings) gives the viewer

power over what is seen.

How does it reflect the Impressionist Era?

In the Loge reflects the late 1800’s, because that’s when it was painted. Mary lived from 1844 to 1926, so this painting reflects the earlier part of her life, during her mid 30’s.

The painting reflects the upper class of the Industrial Revolution, because it takes place in an opera house, a form of entertainment that only wealthier classes could enjoy.

It’s seen in the painting that many people are wearing nice clothing and even fur – to represent their higher status in society.

Mother and Child (Baby Getting up from His Nap) (1899)

o Mother getting child up from his

nap in his bedroom

o Location: The Metropolitan

Museum of Art – New York, NY

o It has been proven (and shows in

this painting) that Mary Cassatt liked

children, and was very fond of her

nieces and nephews and the offspring

of friends. This may have inspired her

to paint many other similar portraits

of mothers and children.

How does it reflect the Impressionist Era?

Mother and Child reflects the early 1900’s, when the painting was created. In this period of her life, Mary was in her mid 50’s. She may have felt more of a motherly instinct when creating these paintings.

The Industrial Revolution is reflecting the upper class again in this portrait, because the room around the two people is very sophisticated, suggesting a wealthy lifestyle.

Their clothes seem expensive and made of silk, which was costly during the time period.