Afternoon Tea Party 1890 - 1891

Mary Cassatt, an American artist working in late 19th century France, created 'Afternoon Tea Party' using color etching and aquatint. Cassatt's unique position as an American woman, living and working among the French Impressionists, gave her a particular insight into the lives of women in bourgeois society. This print captures a seemingly simple social ritual, the afternoon tea, but it also subtly explores the dynamics of female relationships and the constraints placed upon women of this era. Note the intimate exchange between the two women. Cassatt often depicted women in domestic settings, challenging traditional representations by portraying them as active participants in their own lives, rather than passive objects. There’s a sense of quiet observation and intimacy here. This work reflects societal issues related to gender and class, offering a glimpse into the private lives of women while subtly questioning their prescribed roles.