Artwork
The Letter
The Letter 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.
About this work
Overview
The Letter is a 1890 print by Mary Cassatt, created using a combination of color drypoint, softground etching, and aquatint techniques on laid paper.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a figure, likely a woman, seated on a bed, intently reading a letter. The scene is a quiet, domestic moment, reflecting Cassatt's interest in the private lives of women and their relationships.
Technique & Style
The Letter showcases Cassatt's use of mixed media, combining sharp lines with soft shading to capture the interplay of light and shadow. The print's techniques, including etching and aquatint, allow for a range of tonal values and textures.
Context
As an American expatriate in France, Cassatt was associated with the Impressionist movement, and her work often focused on everyday, domestic scenes, diverging from more traditional grand or historical subjects.
Artist & collection
Artist
Mary Stevenson Cassatt (; May 22, 1844 – June 14, 1926) was an American painter and printmaker.
