The Corner of the Sofa (No. 1) c. 1879

Mary Cassatt created this print, "The Corner of the Sofa (No. 1)," using drypoint and aquatint. The composition presents a figure seated in what seems a domestic interior, rendered through a careful balance of light and shadow. The interplay between the textured darks and delicate lights draws our eye and perhaps evokes a sense of quiet contemplation. Cassatt's printmaking technique in this work is notable for its formal qualities, which are deeply connected to the broader artistic dialogues of her time. The visible lines and tonal gradations achieved through aquatint serve as a visual language, reflecting the artist’s engagement with Impressionism's focus on capturing fleeting moments. The loose and expressive lines that define the figure and space engage with post-structuralist ideas about the instability of meaning and representation, suggesting a departure from fixed interpretations. Ultimately, the evocative power of "The Corner of the Sofa (No. 1)" lies in its formal structure and the way it both invites and resists definitive interpretation. This emphasizes how art functions as a site of ongoing interpretation rather than a vessel of singular meaning.