Lecture Notes: Mary Cassatt's Painting and Late 19th Century Paris

Introduction to Late 19th Century Paris

• Culture of Display: Paris known for its culture of display, especially in elite social spaces.
• Mary Cassatt's Painting: "Woman with a Pearl Necklace in a Loge" exemplifies this culture.

Mary Cassatt and the Paris Opera House

• Setting: The painting is set in the Paris Opera House, a symbol of opulence and high society.
  • Located at the Grand Boulevards intersection.
  • Architecture designed for seeing and being seen.
• Subject: Possibly Cassatt’s sister, depicted in a private booth.
• Mirror Reflection: Shows other private booths, emphasizing the display culture.

Artistic Techniques and Social Context

• Cassatt's Perspective: Likely painted from within the booth, not including her own reflection.
• Composition: Shows audience viewing Lydia as an object of display.
• Imperial France: Painting reflects the opulence of the era.
• Intermission Scene: Audience focuses on themselves rather than the stage.

Mary Cassatt's Background and Challenges

• Family Background: Wealthy but unsupportive father regarding her art career.
• Art Education: Faced gender-based restrictions in formal art training.
  • Attended Pennsylvania Academy of Art.
  • Moved to Paris for more artistic freedom.
  • Studied in private studios due to exclusion from Ecole des Beaux-Arts.
• Social Restrictions: Limited participation in social spaces like cafés with male colleagues.

Themes and Artistic Style

• Freedom vs. Restriction: Painting juxtaposes freedom and societal constraints for women.
• Public vs. Private Space: Explored through setting and composition.
• Use of Light and Shadow: Highlights the theme of privacy within public display.
• Impressionist Techniques: Similarities with Impressionists:
  • Interest in artificial light.
  • Loose brushwork.
  • Capturing moments in time.

Analysis of Composition

• Focus Points:
  • Intersection of shoulder representation and reflection.
  • Arc of the balcony as a reference to the reciprocal vision between Lydia and the audience.

Conclusion

• Cassatt's Contributions: Advanced techniques and themes aligned with Impressionist concerns.
• Cultural Reflection: Painting as a narrative of late 19th-century bourgeois culture and gender dynamics.