Susan and Child Facing each Other 1883

Mary Cassatt made this print, "Susan and Child Facing each Other," using drypoint and aquatint. Cassatt, an American artist working in late 19th-century France, defied social expectations to become a celebrated Impressionist. Unlike her male counterparts, Cassatt focused on the intimate lives of women, particularly the bond between mothers and children. This work offers an unvarnished look at motherhood, diverging from sentimental depictions common at the time. The figures' gazes meet, suggesting a deep connection. Cassatt never married nor had children, but she once stated, "It is understood that a woman who has had the good fortune to paint well should not desire the joys of family...". Consider how Cassatt, as a woman in a male-dominated art world, chose to represent domestic life. The print invites us to reflect on the complexities of womanhood, and the roles assigned to women during this period.