As a young woman, she travelled widely across Europe before settling in Paris. She studied under an academic painter, Chaplin but the real influence on her was Courbet, Manet and the Impressionists.

She met Edgar Degas when she was 33, and he became such a close friend that he portrayed her on several occasions. He it was who invited her to exhibit with the Impressionists. She did so in each year between 1879 - 1881, and then again in 1886. Moreover, she bought Impressionist paintings, encouraged other Americans to do so, and helped their dealer, Durand-Ruel, when he was in difficulties.

The Pennsylvania Academy awarded her the Gold Medal of Honor in 1914.

She had an interest in creating etchings that could be bought by the public at reasonable prices. The etchings she produced were mostly of domestic scenes. Those of the mother and child theme are particularly beautiful.

Her final years were blighted by poor eyesight. By 1912 she was partially blind, and by the end of her life she was completely blind.

She died at the age of 82.

Collections:

• Birmingham
• Boston
• Detroit
• Los Angeles
• New York (Met. Mus.)
• Paris (Mus. d'Orsay)
• Washington (NG)

//Gallery//

After The Bath Large Canvas Print

Alexander J. Cassatt and His Son Robert Kelso Cassatt Large Canvas Print

Antoinette At Her Dresser Large Canvas Print

At The Window Large Canvas Print

Baby on the Arm of the Mother Large Canvas Print

The Banjo Lesson Large Canvas Print

The Bath Large Canvas Print

The Boat Journey Large Canvas Print

The Caress Large Canvas Print

Child in a Straw Hat Large Canvas Print

Children Playing with a Cat Large Canvas Print

The Cup of Tea Large Canvas Print

A Cup of Tea II Large Canvas Print

Girl Arranging Her Hair Large Canvas Print

Helene de Septeuil Large Canvas Print

In The Garden Large Canvas Print

Jules Being Dried by His Mother Large Canvas Print

Lady at the Tea Table Large Canvas Print

Lilacs in a Window Large Canvas Print

Lydia At The Cord Framework Large Canvas Print

Lydia in Marlis Garden Doing Crochet 1880 Large Canvas Print

Lydia in Theatre Loge Large Canvas Print

Lydia with Pearl Necklace Large Canvas Print

Mary Cassatt With Her Dog Large Canvas Print

Lydia in Theatre Loge Large Canvas Print

Moise Dreyfus Large Canvas Print

Maternal Kiss Large Canvas Print

Mother and Child Large Canvas Print

Mother with Child Large Canvas Print

Mrs Lydia Cassatt Reading Large Canvas Print

Portrait of Miss Cassatt, Holding The Cards Large Canvas Print

Profile of Lydia Large Canvas Print

Reading the Figaro 1878 Large Canvas Print

Seated Woman Large Canvas Print

The Sisters Large Canvas Print

Small Girl in a Blue Armchair Large Canvas Print

Thoughtful Reader Large Canvas Print

Torero and Young Girl Large Canvas Print

Woman and Child Large Canvas Print

Woman and Girl Large Canvas Print

Woman with a Dog Large Canvas Print

Woman with Red Zinnia Large Canvas Print

Young Girl Reading Large Canvas Print

Young Mother Sewing Large Canvas Print

Young Woman Picking Fruit Large Canvas Print

Young Woman Sewing In The Garden Large Canvas Print

Mary Cassatt - The Sisters Print