(Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1844 - 1926, Oise, France)
1890
Drypoint on paper
12 1/4 x 9 1/4 in. (31.2 x 23.6 cm)
Collection of the Akron Art Museum
Gift of Mrs. H. V. Dwight, Miss Rosalind Dwight, Mr. Michael Dwight, in memory of Mr. Herbert Vail Dwight
1957.10
Known for her perceptive depictions of women and children, Cassatt spent much of her career in France. In 1890, after viewing an exhibition of Japanese prints in Paris, she purchased her own printing press. Her etched compositions are daringly spare, with large sections of the paper left empty. This reflects Cassatt's interest in Asian art as well as her belief that the only lines necessary to a composition were those that suggested movement or defined the major shapes.