The Bath 1890 - 1891

"The Bath" by Mary Cassatt, captures a seemingly simple, intimate moment between a mother and child, rendered using a Japanese printmaking technique. Cassatt, an American artist working amongst the Impressionists in late 19th-century France, often depicted women in domestic settings, challenging the male-dominated art world. Here, the figures are framed by flattened perspectives and bold outlines, typical of ukiyo-e prints. The mother's gaze and gentle grasp express a profound connection, yet this image is not just a sentimental portrayal. It reflects the shifting roles of women in a rapidly modernizing society. Cassatt offers a glimpse into the private sphere, a space traditionally deemed 'feminine', imbuing it with artistic and emotional significance. The lack of idealization is notable, as the focus remains on the everyday, a mother tending to her child. Cassatt invites us to consider the beauty and complexity of women's lives, providing an alternative narrative to the dominant representations of the time.