The Rebellious Curator

Mary Cassatt (American 1844-1926)

Mary Cassatt was born in the US, and was known for her sensitive portraits of women and children. Classified as an Impressionist, she worked in the latter third of the period, which was characterized by the use of stronger colours and less detail. Most of her adult life was spent in Europe, where she met artists Edouard Manet and Edgar Degas who were her mentors and trusted advisors. Because she was independently wealthy, she was able to pursue her desire to be a painter during a time when women were not commonly choosing art as a full time career. Her involvement with the Impressionists was important, because she introduced their paintings to the U.S. through her social contacts with wealthy private collectors. She became a respected art consultant, and was instrumental in forming the important Havemeyer Collection of paintings. She died in Paris in 1926.