Afternoon Tea Party

Mary Cassatt, an American painter and printmaker who spent much of her adult life in France, was a prominent figure among the Impressionists, befriending artists like Edgar Degas. This piece, "Afternoon Tea Party," created in 1890, exemplifies her characteristic focus on the social and private lives of women, particularly their intimate rituals and interactions. Cassatt is renowned for her depictions of women and children, as seen in notable works like "The Child's Bath" and "Maternal Caress." Here, she captures a moment of genteel social engagement, rendered with the nuanced observation typical of her work. The medium of drypoint and aquatint, printed in color, showcases her mastery of printmaking, a field where she made significant contributions alongside her painting. This work reflects the Impressionist movement's interest in capturing fleeting moments of modern life, though Cassatt often imbued her scenes with a deeper psychological insight into her subjects.