The Coiffure Used by PermissionThe Coiffure
Mary Cassatt. 1890–1891 C.E. Drypoint and aquatint.
Curator Note
"An intimate print showing a woman adjusting her hair. Cassatt, an American Impressionist in Paris, was deeply influenced by Japanese woodblock prints (ukiyo-e). She adopts their flatten forms, patterns, and un-posed domestic subjects to depict the private lives of women with dignity, avoiding the sexualization common in male art."
Form
- Drypoint and aquatint on paper.
- Flattened space and perspective.
- Strong, clean lines.
- muted, pastel color palette.
- Decorative patterns (wallpaper, carpet).
Function
- To depict the private, domestic world of women.
- To experiment with Japanese aesthetics (Japonisme).
- To create affordable art (prints) for the middle class.
- To de-sexualize the female nude (she is not posing for men).
- To emphasize form and line.
Content
- Woman grooming herself: a daily ritual.
- Mirror: complex reflection, adds depth.
- Nudity: feels natural, private, not voyeuristic.
- Contrast between the curves of the body and the straight lines of the room.
- Focus on the back/neck (common in Japanese art).
Context
- Cassatt saw a major exhibition of Japanese prints in Paris in 1890.
- She was one of the few women in the Impressionist group.
- Women were restricted to domestic subjects.
- Influence of Kitagawa Utamaro.
- Combines Western technique with Eastern composition.