The Bath 1890 - 1891

Mary Cassatt created this color print titled "The Bath." In it, we see a mother bathing her child, a theme Cassatt explored repeatedly. The image gains meaning when considered alongside the growing visibility of women in public life in Europe and the United States during the late nineteenth century. Cassatt, an American in Paris, moved within Impressionist circles. Her work reflected a modern sensibility, even as it focused on domestic subjects. Prints like this one also reflect the influence of Japanese art, which was very popular in Europe at the time. The flattened perspective, the simple, intimate subject, and the emphasis on line all reflect Japanese traditions. Art historians consult exhibition reviews, artists’ letters, and other period documents to understand more about the meaning of art. The goal is to interpret the image not as an isolated object, but as a cultural artifact that reflects particular social and institutional conditions.