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Madeline Roy

Artist Report

Personal life

Name of Artist: Mary Stevenson Cassatt

Birth Date: May 22, 1844

Birth Place: Allegheny City, Pennsylvania

What later life events (marriage, children, deaths, etc.) had a major influence on the
artist? (Your response should be a minimum of 100 words and complete sentences.)

Mary began studying at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, until she realized it
was to slow of a pace for her learning style. She then decided despite her fathers
opinions, she was going to go and chase her dreams in Paris where she went in 1866. Her
dream was to attend Ecole des Beaux-Arts but females were not allowed to attend during
that time period. So instead she continued her learning through masters from the art
school, specifically for her was Jean-Leon Gerome where she learned a lot. She
continued studying in Paris through 1870 when she finally returned to the United States.
When she returned home she placed some of her work in a New York gallery, and when
none of her paintings were purchased she wanted to give up and never paint again. She
spent sometime away from art until she was commissioned for work, and the
commissions led her back to Europe where she was able to sell more of her work and
complete the commissioned painting for the Archbishop.
Marys career in art had its ups and downs but she never lost hope in her dreams. All
these things later in her life really set her up to continue her passions and made her fight
for her and other womens rights to express themselves through the beauty of art.

Time Period

Describe what prevailing style of art was popular when the artist first started? (Your
description should be at least three complete sentences in length.)

Impressionism

What new style did the artist start, or get involved in?

Mary began her art leaning towards impressionism, and then began to stray away from
that and lean more towards contemporary life, focusing on mothers and children.
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What important historical events happened during the artists lifetime that influenced one
or more pieces? (Your response should be a minimum of 100 words and complete
sentences.)
When Mary was first in Paris, one of the Major events that took place was the Franco-
Prussian War, which ended up being the reason she went back to the United States. When
she was back in the United States, she put some of her work in a gallery, which ended in
the loss of her work in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. This time Mary lived in made it
very hard for women and their roles outside of the home. Very early on, Mary knew that
with this career path she wanted there would be no time for a marriage. It is believed
through her work that Mary was very much into the feminist movement, which was a big
part of history. Another big impact on the pieces was the tragic death of her sister, which
left her unable to work for some time. Her most popular work includes mother and
children in her impressionist paintings.

Select one piece that your artist did

Name of the piece: Children Playing on the Beach

What is it about?
This picture is showing these little children playing on the beach, very focused on what
they are doing.

Why did you choose this piece? (Two or more complete sentences, minimum)
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I love the detail in this picture. I love that it shows these kids enjoying their time on the
beach playing in the sand. Though it is simple, it shows the pudgy little fingers of these
kids, and realistically how children handle things, such as holding the shovel. I think the
piece is beautiful with the children as the main focus with the ocean out in the distance.

Name two elements of design that the artist used in this piece:

I think that space was used very well in this piece and the proper placing of the subjects,
along with that the colors in this piece really set the mood for that give it the beachy, light
airy feel.

Name one principle of design that the artist used in this piece:

Cassatt uses scaling and proportions very well in this piece. Where she placed the
children and the sizing of them show that they are close, and it gives the affect that the
ocean is off in the distance.

When you first looked at this piece what was your reaction to it? (Two or more complete
sentences, minimum)
When I first saw this piece my first thought was how peaceful and content the little
children look playing on the beach. As I looked closer I saw how in the distance you see
the ocean and the boats on the horizon. The piece just made me want to be at the beach.

Did your reaction change as you studied this piece? Explain.

I wouldnt say it changed, I just would say I grew more in love with the tiny details that
were put into the painting. The little things like the brushstrokes on the children, to the
tiny boats in the background. Every tiny detail makes this piece magnificent.

Sources

List two sources you used to gather your information

1. Weinberg, H. Barbara. Mary Stevenson Cassatt (18441926). In Heilbrunn Timeline

of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000.
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/cast/hd_cast.htm (October 2004)

2. "Mary Cassatt." Biography.com. A&E Networks Television, 02 Apr. 2014. Web. 08

Mar. 2017.

3. Cassatt, Mary. "Children Playing On The Beach, 1884 - Mary Cassatt."

Www.wikiart.org. Web. 08 Mar. 2017.