Artwork
The Bath [recto]
![The Bath [recto], by Mary Cassatt, graphite, 1890](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/mary-cassatt--the-bath-recto--67276d728e4d9c9f-w1024.webp)
The Bath [recto] is a graphite drawing by the Impressionist artist Mary Cassatt. It dates from 1890 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower right in graphite: Mary Cassatt; lower edge in graphite by unknown hand: 3134 [upside down] 36295
- Markings
- Marked:stamped upper right in black ink: H.G. Whittemore; stamped lower center in black ink: H.G. Whittemore
About this work
Overview
The Bath is a 1890 drawing by Mary Cassatt, created with graphite and black crayon. It captures a private moment of a woman and child in a simple, everyday setting.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a woman seated on the floor, holding a baby that reaches towards her. Cassatt's work focuses on the unidealized, intimate aspects of women's lives, often highlighting their relationships with children.
Technique & Style
The sketch is characterized by loose, quick lines that emphasize large shapes over small details. Cassatt's use of blank areas, such as the background, draws attention to the figures and their movement, creating a sense of dynamism.
Context
As an American artist associated with the Impressionist movement in France, Cassatt's work was influenced by her connections to artists like Edgar Degas. Impressionism's focus on everyday life and modernity is reflected in Cassatt's portrayal of a mundane, domestic scene.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Mary Stevenson Cassatt (; May 22, 1844 – June 14, 1926) was an American painter and printmaker.
![The Bath [verso], by Mary Cassatt](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/mary-cassatt--the-bath-verso--999b365b4668ddfc-w320.webp)
