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
Created in 1890, *The Letter* is a color print that combines drypoint, soft‑ground etching, and aquatint techniques. The work depicts an intimate interior scene in which a woman, dressed in a blue robe and pink undershirt, holds a folded letter close to her face while seated beside a wooden chair and table.
Subject & Meaning
The composition focuses on a moment of private contemplation, emphasizing the emotional connection between the figure and the written correspondence. The setting—a modest, flower‑papered room—highlights domestic life and the nuanced relationships between women and the objects or messages that occupy their private sphere.
Technique & Style
Cassatt employed a layered printmaking process: drypoint provided fine, soft lines; soft‑ground etching allowed for subtle texture in the fabric and wallpaper; and aquatint added tonal washes that model the light and shadow across the scene. The resulting effect is a gentle gradation of color and tone that conveys atmosphere without harsh contrasts.
History & Provenance
An American expatriate who settled in Paris, Cassatt was closely linked to the Impressionist circle, particularly Edgar Degas, and participated in their exhibitions. *The Letter* reflects her ongoing interest in everyday domestic moments, a recurring theme throughout her career.
Context
During the late nineteenth century, printmaking offered artists a means to disseminate images of modern life to a broader audience. Cassatt’s choice of color drypoint and aquatint aligns with contemporary experiments in reproducing delicate interior scenes, situating the work within the broader Impressionist engagement with everyday subjects.
Artist & collection
Artist
Mary Stevenson Cassatt (; May 22, 1844 – June 14, 1926) was an American painter and printmaker.
