1. ALLEGRA JACOBS AND KATIE BERKELHAMER Mary Cassatt

2. Biography o Artistic influences: Edgar Degas, Edouard Manet, and young American artists o Role in Impressionist Era: Mary became famous for her portraits while many of her fellow Impressionists were focused on landscapes and street scenes. o Subject choice: Drawn to women in everyday domestic settings, and mothers with their children. o Layout Style: Early works portrayed delicacy, the effects of light and shadow of the style.

3. In the Loge (1880) o Portrait of a woman at the opera – looking at someone or something o Location: Museum Of Fine Arts, Boston MA o This painting shows us that Mary understands that the act of viewing (either a portrait or human beings) gives the viewer power over what is seen.

4. How does it reflect the Impressionist Era? In the Loge reflects the late 1800’s, because that’s when it was painted. Mary lived from 1844 to 1926, so this painting reflects the earlier part of her life, during her mid 30’s. The painting reflects the upper class of the Industrial Revolution, because it takes place in an opera house, a form of entertainment that only wealthier classes could enjoy. It’s seen in the painting that many people are wearing nice clothing and even fur – to represent their higher status in society.

5. Mother and Child (Baby Getting up from His Nap) (1899) o Mother getting child up from his nap in his bedroom o Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art – New York, NY o It has been proven (and shows in this painting) that Mary Cassatt liked children, and was very fond of her nieces and nephews and the offspring of friends. This may have inspired her to paint many other similar portraits of mothers and children.

6. How does it reflect the Impressionist Era? Mother and Child reflects the early 1900’s, when the painting was created. In this period of her life, Mary was in her mid 50’s. She may have felt more of a motherly instinct when creating these paintings. The Industrial Revolution is reflecting the upper class again in this portrait, because the room around the two people is very sophisticated, suggesting a wealthy lifestyle. Their clothes seem expensive and made of silk, which was costly during the time period.