Mighty Fingers - Facing Change
  • About Mighty FIngers
  • Hosting Organizations
  • Support More Girls
  • Videos and Pictures from the Road
  • Our Team
  • In the News
  • Contact

MIGHTY RELEVANT WOMEN: MARY CASSATT

5/4/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Mother and Child by Mary Cassatt (1880)
“Women should be someone and not something.”
                      
                                                    --Mary Cassatt
“I am independent! I can live alone and I love to work.” When artist Mary Cassatt uttered those words, how shocking they must have sounded! Why? Because during her lifetime (1844-1926), the idea that woman’s focus in life would center on work, not family, was quite radical!

Many people who have studied and written about Mary Cassatt think she was greatly influenced by her intelligent and active mother, Katherine, who believed in educating women to be knowledgeable and socially active. A lifelong family friend wrote: “Anyone who had the privilege of knowing Mary Cassatt’s mother would know at once that it was from her and her along that Mary inherited her ability…she was powerfully intelligent, executive and masterful, and yet with that sense of duty and tender sympathy that she had transmitted to her daughter.” 

As we anticipate the celebration of Mother's Day, it’s fitting to applaud this strong, supportive mother and her talented and independent daughter! 

This painting shows Mrs. Cassatt reading the French newspaper, Le Figaro.

Picture
Mary Cassatt became a highly successful artist at a time when women were rarely viewed as “serious” artists. Raised in Pennsylvania, she had the opportunity to attend school in Europe. When she was 20, she begged her family to let her go to Paris alone to study modern art. As this was highly unusual for a young, upper class woman in that era it took some convincing, but ultimately her parents agreed. Once there, Mary had to find ways to study on her own since the leading art school in Paris, École des Beaux-Arts, didn’t accept women at that time.

Mary’s artistic talent was undeniable, but it took many years of toil for her work to be recognized. Eventually she earned the respect of leading Impressionist artists of the day, and was asked to exhibit with them in 1879. As of 2005, her paintings have sold for as much as $2.87 million!

Although Mary never married and had children of her own (she had decided early in life that marriage would be incompatible with her career) mothers and children were favorite subjects for her work, especially during the 1880’s and 1890’s. The bond between mother and child is one of the strongest forces on earth, and Cassatt’s lovely paintings capture the tenderness, intimacy and timelessness of a mother’s love.

You can delve into Mary's life and see more examples of her art at http://marycassatt.org.

In what ways are you like your mother? How does she influence you?

Leave a comment below, tweet us @MightyFingers, send us a message on Facebook, or email us at info@mightyfingersfacingchange.com! 

 

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Write a letter to the world!

    Written and monitored by lisa melillo

    Communication is art that we encourage. During each stop, the girls we meet form new relationships and want the opportunity to maintain them and make new ones. They want to be heard by a larger audience and they are eager to listen. The Mighty Girl’s Blog is a forum for girls who have Internet access from all parts of the world to log on and say what they want to say. For those who do not have regular access to Internet, but still desire to connect with girls outside their community, we help match them as pen pals through written letters. The Mighty Girl’s Blog is an open yet monitored forum for girls to connect and share with an interesting and interested group of people.  

    Archives

    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    May 2013

    RSS Feed

Location

Thank You For Helping Create a Better World Through ART!

Kelly Sullivan, Lead Artist & Producer
kelly@kellysullivanfineart.com
Phone: 732.233.5614

Contact Us

Subscribe

Join our mailing list today!
Join Now
  • About Mighty FIngers
  • Hosting Organizations
  • Support More Girls
  • Videos and Pictures from the Road
  • Our Team
  • In the News
  • Contact