Woman with a Fan c. 1878 - 1879

Mary Cassatt, an American artist working in France, painted "Woman with a Fan" with oil on canvas. Cassatt was part of the Impressionist movement, but she was also deeply engaged with the social and cultural conventions surrounding women in the late 19th century. The woman's averted gaze and the fan itself were visual codes associated with female modesty and restraint. Note that this was the time when women were fighting for suffrage and greater social equality. Cassatt’s paintings often explored the domestic sphere and the relationships between women, but it's worth noting that her own position as a wealthy, unmarried woman allowed her a degree of independence. This gave her the ability to participate in the male-dominated art world. Art history invites us to examine the complex interplay between an artist's personal experiences, the social norms of their time, and the institutions that shape artistic production. By studying Cassatt's life and the cultural context in which she worked, we can gain a deeper understanding of the meaning and significance of her art.