Woman Bathing (La Toilette)

Mary Cassatt's 'Woman Bathing (La Toilette)' from 1890 offers an intimate glimpse into the private world of women, a theme central to her prolific career. As an American painter and printmaker who spent much of her adult life in France, Cassatt was a prominent figure in the Impressionist movement, befriending Edgar Degas and exhibiting alongside her peers. This particular drypoint and aquatint, printed in color from three plates, exemplifies her mastery of printmaking and her keen eye for domestic scenes. While she is perhaps best known for her tender depictions of mothers and children, this work focuses on a solitary woman, absorbed in the quiet ritual of bathing. It aligns with other works from the early 1890s, such as 'Woman Bathing' (1890–91) and 'The Letter' (1890–91), where she explored the daily lives and routines of women, often in moments of quiet contemplation or activity. The delicate lines and subtle colors achieved through the aquatint process enhance the sense of intimacy and tranquility.