The Coiffure 1890 - 1891

This drypoint and aquatint by Mary Cassatt presents a woman in quiet contemplation, attending to her hair. The intimate act of self-care, reflected in the mirror, speaks volumes. The mirror motif itself is ancient, serving as a symbol of vanity, truth, and self-awareness. Recall the Roman goddess Venus often depicted gazing into one, contemplating her own beauty. But here, Cassatt transforms the symbol. This isn't about vanity; it's about the private moment, a woman’s introspective ritual. The raised arms, arranging her hair, echo gestures seen in depictions of Venus or bathers throughout art history. However, in Cassatt’s hands, the gesture loses its overtly sensual charge. It’s a mundane act elevated, revealing the beauty in the everyday. This image taps into a collective memory, subtly engaging our subconscious understanding of femininity, beauty, and the gaze. It is this dance of familiar motifs, seen anew, that stirs something profound within us.