Mary Cassatt at the Louvre: The Paintings Gallery

Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

Edgar Degas enjoyed a close friendship with fellow Impressionist Mary Cassatt. To produce this work, he first made an etching of his friend and her sister, Lydia, then covered the sheet with pastel. Degas depicted Mary with her back to the viewer, balancing in a confident pose; her rigid right arm and umbrella move diagonally across the bottom half of the sheet. This air of assurance contrasts with the attitude of Lydia, who is seated and looks up timidly at the art from a guidebook.

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