The artwork titled “Mother’s Kiss,” created by Mary Cassatt in 1891, is crafted using the mediums of drypoint and etching. It is a product of the Impressionism and Japonism art movements and measures approximately 27.31 by 37.21 cm. Classified as a sketch and study, the piece is a testament to intimate domestic scenes and is currently held in a private collection.
The artwork depicts an affectionate moment between a mother and her child. A graceful portrayal of maternal love, it shows the mother bending forward to plant a tender kiss on her child’s forehead. The child, in turn, gazes upward with a look of trust and adoration, responding to the affection with innocent engagement. The figures display a harmonious blend of western Impressionist techniques and the elegant simplicity characteristic of Japanese influences. The use of light, shadow, and line, executed with delicate precision, captures the softness of the moment, while the floral pattern on the mother’s attire adds a subtle decorative element that echoes the aesthetics of Japonism. The artwork exudes a sense of warmth and emotional depth, inviting viewers to reflect on the universal theme of maternal affection.
