Russell Collection Inventory

Mary Stevenson Cassat was born in Pittsburgh, PA in 1844 into a well to do family. She spent most of her formative years in Europe with her family. They returned to the States and in her adolescence, Mary opted to return to Europe to pursue her career as an artist. She took some formal instruction, but preferred to teach herself by copying the great Masters in the Louvre and other museums. Cassatt met with great success in exhibiting at the Salons, and was friendly with many of the established as well as the up and coming artists. She was invited by Degas to join the group that would later be called the “Impressionists.” Cassatt most likely learned the basics of etching during an eight-month stay in Italy. Throughout her career as a print maker she printed many of her prints by herself on her own press. Her painting aside, Cassatt was a consummate printmaker and understood the medium well. She used the color wood block prints of the Japanese masters as her inspiration, thus introducing to Western art the patterning and coloration of Eastern art. Her iconography of mothers and children is imbued with deep emotional, yet serene quality. As Adelyn D. Breeskin wrote in her catalogue raisonne of Cassatt’s prints, “Her incomparable renderings of the mother and child theme will probably always be considered her main contribution to the history of Art.” Mary Cassatt died at her beloved Chateau deBeaufresne in 1926.

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Head of a Child Pencil Drawing Lugt. 604 Bears the Mathilde X stamp, “Mary Cassatt, Collection Mathilde X” RARE Unframed Size: 5 1/2 x 9" Framed Size: No Size Available Inventory Number: MC 1552

Sarah Smiling B. 195 Drypoint in colors Breeskin 195, c. 1904 Only State known From the edition issued after 1923 Printed by Delatre Unframed Size: Image: 7 ¾” x 5 1/5” Framed Size: No Size Available Inventory Number: C 1193

Denise Holding Her Child B.204 Drypoint in colors Breeskin 204, c. 1905 From the edition issued after 1923 Printed by Delatre Unframed Size: 8 ¼” x 5 7/8” Framed Size: No Size Available Inventory Number: C 1196

Margot wearing a Bonnett Drypoint in colors Breeskin 179, c. 1902 Only State known From the edition issued after 1923 Printed by Delatre Unframed Size: Framed Size: No Size Available Inventory Number: C 1398