Mary Cassatt

Born into a wealthy Pennsylvania family, she spent five years in Europe as a child. This experience laid the foundation for her international perspective and interest in French art.¹

MayMary Cassatt was born on May 22, 1844, in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States.²

MayMary Cassatt was born on May 22, 1844, in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States.²

Mary Cassatt may have first encountered French artists at the Paris World's Fair in 1855.²

Mary Cassatt was likely exposed to French artists at the Paris World's Fair of 1855.³

Mary Cassatt began studying painting at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts at the age of 15.²

At 15, she entered the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts but grew frustrated with restrictions on female students. Seeking freedom, she moved to Paris despite her father's objections.¹

Since the École des Beaux-Arts did not admit women, she studied privately under Jean-Léon Gérôme and honed her skills by copying masterpieces at the Louvre.¹

Mary Cassatt moved to France in 1866 and studied art privately in Paris.³

In 1868, her painting 'A Mandoline Player' was accepted into the Paris Salon, making her one of the first American women to exhibit there, starting her career in a Romantic style.¹

Mary Cassatt had her first work accepted into the Paris Salon in 1868.²

Mary Cassatt temporarily returned to the United States at the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War in 1870.²

Mary Cassatt returned to the United States due to the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War in 1870.²

Forced home by the Franco-Prussian War, she faced financial hardship as her father refused to pay for art supplies and she lost early works in the Great Chicago Fire.¹

A commission from the Bishop of Pittsburgh to copy paintings in Italy funded her return to Europe. This turning point in Parma restored her confidence as an artist.¹

She formed a close friendship with Edgar Degas and joined the Impressionist exhibitions. She learned the importance of composition from him, becoming innovative artistic peers.¹

Mary Cassatt exhibited in the Impressionist exhibition in 1879, actively participating in their movement.²

Like Degas, she pursued movement, light, and modern design, breaking from academic traditions with innovative compositions and a fresh sense of color.¹

The death of her sister, Lydia, in 1882 left Mary Cassatt temporarily unable to work.³

Mary Cassatt held her first solo exhibition at the Durand-Ruel gallery in 1891.⁴

JunMary Cassatt died on June 14, 1926, at the age of 82, near Paris, France.²

JunMary Cassatt died on June 14, 1926, at the age of 82, near Paris, France.²