Mr. and Mrs. Cassatt Reading c. 1882

Mary Cassatt made this print, Mr. and Mrs. Cassatt Reading, using etching, a traditional intaglio printmaking technique. A metal plate, likely copper, was coated with a waxy, acid-resistant ground. Cassatt then drew into this ground with a sharp needle, exposing the metal. The plate was then immersed in acid, which bit into the exposed lines, creating grooves. Ink was applied to the plate, pushed into these grooves, and the surface wiped clean. Finally, paper was laid on top and run through a press, transferring the ink from the grooves to the paper. The resulting image has a distinctive character. The etched lines create a sense of depth and texture, defining the forms of the figures and the surrounding space. Look closely and you can see that the quality of the lines vary in thickness and darkness, depending on the amount of pressure Cassatt applied when drawing through the ground. This range of expression is part of what makes etching such a compelling medium. It's important to remember that printmaking is a labor-intensive process, demanding skill, patience, and technical knowledge. By engaging with these processes, Cassatt challenged traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, asserting the value of skilled making in the creation of meaningful images.