Baby Smiling up at Her Mother 1897

Mary Cassatt made this pastel drawing of a baby smiling up at her mother sometime in the late 19th century. It offers us a glimpse into the changing representation of women and domestic life during this period in France. Cassatt, an American expatriate, aligned herself with the Impressionists in their break from academic tradition, yet she carved her own space. While her male colleagues focused on public life, Cassatt turned her attention to the private sphere of women. This intimate portrayal challenges the stereotypical depictions of women prevalent in art at the time. The female gaze is strong, and the artist elevates the significance of maternal bonds and the everyday experiences of women, often omitted from mainstream artistic discourse. The historian can use sources, from letters to exhibition reviews, to understand Cassatt's position as an artist navigating the male-dominated art world. The beauty of this work lies not only in its aesthetic qualities but also in its subtle critique of societal norms and its celebration of the maternal experience.