Who painted In the Omnibus [recto]?

In the Omnibus [recto] was painted by Mary Cassatt in 1890.

Where can I see In the Omnibus [recto]?

In the Omnibus [recto] is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is In the Omnibus [recto]?

In the Omnibus [recto] is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of In the Omnibus [recto]?

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

Artwork

In the Omnibus [recto]

Mary Cassatt , 1890

In the Omnibus [recto] is a chalk drawing by the Impressionist artist Mary Cassatt. It dates from 1890 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1890, In the Omnibus is a drawing executed with black chalk and graphite on wove paper.

Inscription: Inscribed:lower right in graphite: Mary Cassatt

About this work

Overview

Created in 1890, In the Omnibus is a drawing executed with black chalk and graphite on wove paper. The work captures a brief moment on a city sidewalk, presenting three figures in a fleeting composition that emphasizes movement and atmosphere rather than precise detail.

Subject & Meaning

The scene depicts a woman in a wide-brimmed hat guiding a child’s hand, accompanied by another woman nearby. By focusing on everyday interaction, the drawing continues Cassatt’s interest in the private and social realms of women, highlighting ordinary moments of care and companionship.

Technique & Style

Cassatt employs soft, blended shading to render light and shadow, allowing forms to dissolve into one another. The surrounding architecture is suggested with loose, rapid lines, creating a sense of depth while maintaining the immediacy characteristic of Impressionist drawing.

History & Provenance

An American expatriate working in France, Cassatt was closely linked to the Impressionist circle, exhibiting with the group and maintaining friendships with artists such as Edgar Degas. In the Omnibus reflects her participation in that milieu during the late nineteenth century.