The Bath 1890 - 1891

Mary Cassatt, an American artist who lived much of her adult life in France, created this drypoint and aquatint print, called The Bath. Cassatt, born into a privileged background, was one of the few women accepted into the male-dominated Impressionist circle. Here, she presents a tender, intimate moment of a mother bathing her child. It is a scene of domesticity, yet it transcends the typical representations of women in art at the time, which often focused on idealized beauty or symbolic roles. Cassatt's choice to depict the everyday lives of women and children reflects her commitment to portraying the realities of women’s experiences, without sentimentality. The composition and the angle of the figures creates a comforting sense of enclosure. You can almost feel the warmth of the water, the mother’s gentle touch, and the child's soft skin. Through this work, Cassatt offers a nuanced exploration of the emotional and physical connection between mother and child, capturing a moment of shared intimacy and care.