Woman Bathing 1890 - 1891

Mary Cassatt made this drypoint etching called "Woman Bathing." As a woman artist during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Cassatt navigated a male-dominated art world. Her focus on domestic scenes and the lives of women and children reflects both her personal experiences and the societal constraints placed upon women at the time. Though she never married or had children, these became her central subject matter. Here we see a woman in a private moment of washing. Cassatt's work, though seemingly traditional, subtly challenges the established norms of female representation. Rather than portraying women as objects of male desire, she captures the quiet dignity of their everyday lives. The intimacy of this scene—a woman absorbed in her ablutions—offers a rare glimpse into the private world of women during this era. Cassatt’s unique perspective allows us to reflect on the historical, societal, and personal dimensions of women's lives during a period of significant social change.