The Reader 1878

Mary Cassatt painted "The Reader" in oil on canvas in the late 19th century, a period when societal expectations for women were rapidly evolving. Cassatt, an American artist working in France, often depicted women in domestic settings, subtly challenging traditional gender roles. Here, the woman is engrossed in a book, a symbol of intellectual engagement and independence, rather than performing a domestic chore. The loose brushwork and light palette connect Cassatt to the Impressionist movement, which sought to capture fleeting moments of modern life. Her choice of subject matter, however, reveals her interest in the changing social landscape for women. She portrays a world in which women have leisure time, as well as the opportunity to expand their minds through reading. To fully understand Cassatt’s work, we need to research the history of women's education, the rise of the literary marketplace, and the changing attitudes towards women's roles in the late 19th century. These social and institutional contexts add layers of meaning to Cassatt’s intimate portrayal.