Maternity 1890

Mary Cassatt made this pastel drawing, called 'Maternity', sometime in the late nineteenth century. It reflects a broader shift in the representation of women and domestic life during this period. Cassatt was an American artist who spent much of her career in France, associating with the Impressionists. Unlike her male counterparts, she focused on intimate, domestic scenes, challenging the traditional male gaze within the art world. In nineteenth-century France, the representation of motherhood was often sentimentalized or idealized, reinforcing social expectations. Cassatt's work offers a more realistic and intimate view, presenting motherhood as a natural and essential aspect of women's lives. She challenges the academic art establishment, dominated by male artists and their perspectives. Art historians use primary sources, such as letters and exhibition reviews, along with an understanding of social history to examine Cassatt's position within these institutions. We can appreciate the significance of her contribution to a more inclusive representation of women.