Sunday, May 3, 2009

Mary Cassatt and the Japanese Influence


While reading an old magazine, I recently discovered an interesting article about Mary Cassatt, a self-taught American graphic artist. Cassatt exhibited her paintings and pastels with the Impressionist Group in Paris in 1877, but was not part of the movement.

When Mary Cassatt visited Europe she became friends of Degas. Cassatt was influenced by Degas. Like Degas, Cassatt had a dislike for conventional art. The two visited the large Japanese exhibition held at the Beaux Arts in 1880.

After the Japanese exhibition, Cassatt began working with drypoint and aquatint graphic art techniques. Inspired by the Japanese print, she allowed her own creative ability and taste to direct her work. She adopted some elements from Japanese prints and a new understanding of form and color harmony was reflected in her prints. Her work took on the appearance of a delicate watercolor wash rather than a printed surface.

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