Artwork
The Mirror
The Mirror is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Mary Cassatt. It dates from 1891 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:recto: below image, at right, in graphite: Mary Cassatt; at bottom right, in graphite, in later hand: E R 566.; verso: at bottom left, in graphite, in later hand: B-453 [written upsidedown]
- Markings
- Marked:recto: in image, at lower right: Mary Cassatt (Lugt 604); verso: Elisabeth Achelis (Lugt 824b)
About this work
The use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark, adds to the overall mood of the painting.
The Mirror, created by Mary Cassatt around 1891, is a drypoint on laid paper. The painting features a woman sitting in front of a mirror, with a child on her lap. The woman is dressed in a dark dress, while the child wears a light-colored outfit.
The mirror reflects the woman's back, and the overall atmosphere of the painting is one of quiet intimacy.
A notable detail in the painting is the way the light falls on the subjects, creating a sense of depth and dimensionality. The use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark, adds to the overall mood of the painting.
If you're interested in learning more about the artist behind this work, you might want to look up Mary Cassatt.
Overview
The Mirror is a drypoint print on laid paper created by Mary Cassatt around 1891. It depicts a quiet, intimate scene between a woman and a child.
Subject & Meaning
The print shows a woman seated with a child on her lap, gazing into a mirror that reflects her back. The scene explores the private lives of women, a theme Cassatt frequently examined in her work, often focusing on the relationships between mothers and children.
Technique & Style
Cassatt employed drypoint, a technique that allows for expressive line work and rich tonal variations. The use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and dimensionality, with strong contrasts between light and dark adding to the overall mood of the 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.
