Who painted In the Omnibus?

In the Omnibus was painted by Mary Cassatt in 1890.

Where can I see In the Omnibus?

In the Omnibus is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is In the Omnibus?

In the Omnibus is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of In the Omnibus?

Museum-quality prints of In the Omnibus are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

In the Omnibus

Mary Cassatt , 1890

In the Omnibus 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.

Inscription: Inscribed:recto: below image at left in graphite: M.C.; at bottom left in graphite in later hand: J; verso: none
Markings: Marked:recto: none; verso: National Gallery of Art

About this work

Overview

Created in 1890, In the Omnibus is a color print that combines drypoint, soft‑ground etching and aquatint on laid paper. The composition captures a brief moment inside a public carriage, showing three women and an infant surrounded by the muted palette of yellows, pinks and blues that characterize Cassatt’s late‑nineteenth‑century work.

Subject & Meaning

The image presents a quiet domestic scene transposed to a shared urban space: a lady in a yellow dress leans on a cane, another cradles a swaddled baby, while a third in a pink dress watches the child. The view through the windows reveals a river and bridge, suggesting the movement of modern life and the subtle social interactions of women in public.

Technique & Style

Cassatt employed a multi‑process printmaking method. Drypoint supplied fine, velvety lines; soft‑ground etching allowed for broader, painterly areas; and aquatint created tonal washes that render the soft, atmospheric background. The laid paper surface adds a textured feel, while the restrained color scheme emphasizes intimacy over detail, aligning the work with Impressionist interests in light and everyday moments.

History & Provenance

An American expatriate in Paris, Cassatt worked closely with the Impressionist circle, especially Edgar Degas, whose influence is evident in her focus on women’s private lives in public settings. In the Omnibus was produced during a prolific period of printmaking for Cassatt and has since been held in several major museum collections, reflecting its continued relevance to studies of gender and modernity.