Artwork
The Coiffure
The Coiffure 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: at lower right in graphite: Mary Cassatt; verso: at lower left in graphite in later hand: E1184; at lower right in graphite in later hand: C57
- Markings
- Marked:recto: none; verso: Robert Hartshorne (Lugt 2215b) and National Gallery of Art (Lugt 1932d)
About this work
Overview
The Coiffure, a 1890 print by Mary Cassatt, captures an intimate domestic moment in drypoint and aquatint on wove paper.
Subject & Meaning
The print portrays two women in a private setting, one assisting the other with her hair, exemplifying Cassatt's emphasis on depicting the personal lives and relationships of women.
Technique & Style
Characterized by loose, expressive lines and nuanced shading, the work contrasts rough textures (e.g., striped dress patterns) with softer renderings (e.g., skin), leveraging chiaroscuro to balance light and shadow.
History & Provenance
Created during Cassatt's time as an American expatriate in France, the work reflects her association with the Impressionist movement, though her style here leans more towards intimate, personal themes than typical Impressionist subjects.
Context
The Coiffure sits within Cassatt's broader oeuvre focusing on women's daily lives, influenced by her friendships within the Impressionist circle, notably with Edgar Degas.
Legacy
While specific legacy details of The Coiffure are not highlighted, it contributes to Cassatt's recognized contribution to Impressionism's expansion into themes of domestic intimacy and female relationships.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Mary Stevenson Cassatt (; May 22, 1844 – June 14, 1926) was an American painter and printmaker.
