Mary Cassatt: The Life of a Female Impressionist
Mary Cassatt was born in 1844 in the United States. Her family was able to send her to Europe to study music, language, and drawing. When Mary Cassatt returned to the United States she enrolled in art school. In 1866 Mary returned to Paris to study painting techniques with private tutors. After two years of study one of Mary’s paintings was chosen to be displayed at a special exhibit. Her father did not want Mary to be a professional painter and refused to support her art studies after 1870.
Mary Cassatt returned to Europe in 1871. She painted commissioned artwork in Italy and Spain. Eventually Mary was able to live in France and met Edgar Degas. Edgar Degas helped her to meet other impressionistic artists. Impressionism painting developed during the 1800s in Paris. The painting technique used new forms of light and movement. Impressionistic artworks are often ordinary scenes seen in everyday life.
This group held their own art exhibits. Mary Cassatt was invited to show impressionistic paintings at these exhibits. Many of Mary’s paintings are scenes of mothers and children. Mary stopped painting in 1914 due to losing most of her eyesight. Mary Cassatt died in 1926.
Want to know more? Go ahead: Happy Birthday Mary Cassatt!