The Caress
Technique: Giclée quality print
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More about this artwork
"The Caress" by Mary Cassatt is a tender and evocative painting depicting an intimate family moment. In the artwork, a mother is seated, holding her young child closely on her lap. Beside them, leaning in affectionately, is another child who gently kisses the cheek of the baby. The expressions and gestures portrayed convey a deep sense of affection and maternal warmth.Cassatt's painting style is evident in the soft yet dynamic brushstrokes that bring out the textures of the clothing and the skin tones. The use of light and shadow skillfully highlights the figures, emphasizing the focal point of the embrace and the kiss. The muted background contrasts with the vibrant colors of the figures, ensuring they draw the viewer’s attention.The mother’s gaze, directed away from her children, adds a contemplative or slightly introspective note to the scene, which invites viewers to ponder about the thoughts passing through her mind. Overall, the painting beautifully captures the essence of maternal love and the innocent affection of the children, themes that are recurrent in Cassatt's work and resonate with her interest in the private and gentle moments of family life.
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Mary Stevenson Cassatt was an American painter and printmaker. She was born in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania (now part of Pittsburgh’s North Side), but lived much of her adult life in France where she befriended Edgar Degas and exhibited with the Impressionists. Cassatt often created images of the social and private lives of women, with particular emphasis on the intimate bonds between mothers and children.
She was described by Gustave Geffroy as one of "les trois grandes dames" (the three great ladies) of Impressionism alongside Marie Bracquemond and Berthe Morisot.In 1879, Diego Martelli compared her to Degas, as they both sought to depict movement, light, and design in the most modern sense.