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The Somber One,
painted in 1872 by Mary Cassatt, exemplifies the Realist and
Impressionist styles popular in 19th century painting. Cassatt is
best known for her intimate portrayals of women and children in
scenes of family life.
One of the first American
women Impressionist painters, Cassatt was born in Allegheny City
(now part of Pittsburgh) and studied at the Pennsylvania Academy
of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia from 1861 to 1866. Inspired by
European travels in her youth, Cassatt returned to France to paint
with and collect works by Degas and Manet. She was the only
American invited to exhibit with the Impressionists in Paris, her
home for most of her working life. Her enthusiasm for European
works inspired many Americans to purchase Impressionist paintings
and, consequently, influenced the direction of American art at the
turn of the century.
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