Peasant Mother and Child c. 1894

Mary Cassatt created this drypoint print, "Peasant Mother and Child," sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. As an American artist working in France, Cassatt was part of the Impressionist movement, which challenged the academic art traditions of the time. This print reflects Cassatt's focus on the intimate lives of women, particularly the bond between mothers and children. It offers a glimpse into the domestic sphere, a subject often overlooked in the dominant historical narratives. The choice of a peasant mother suggests an interest in representing a broader spectrum of society. It is also a depiction of the Madonna. To fully understand this image, we might explore the social and economic conditions of women and rural communities in France during this period, or the institutional history of art and the limited opportunities for female artists. Art history allows us to consider how art both reflects and shapes our understanding of the world around us.