May 22, 1844 – June 14, 1926
"Margot in Blue"
Mary Cassatt
Born to an affluent investment banker Mary Cassatt and her family travelled extensively.
She moved to Paris when women were not yet allowed to study at the famed L'Ecole des Beaux Arts.
Many impressionist painters befriended her including Degas and Pissaro.
Degas influenced her greatly .
When asked by Degas to exhibit with the impressionists she remarked:
"I accepted with joy. At last, I could work with absolute independence without considering the opinion of a jury. I had already recognized who were my true masters. I admired Manet, Courbet, and Degas. I hated conventional art."
"Margot in Yellow"
She is especially known for her extraordinary pastel.
She studied in America at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts before she moved to Paris.
"Child in Orange"
