Showing a young woman elegantly attired for a social outing, ‘Madame X’ was the first to reference the Parisian theater by the artist during the year when she was active with the Impressionists. The painting has been exhibited nationally and internationally at major venues, including the Schirn Kunsthalle, Frankfurt (2008); Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (2008); Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (1999); National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. (1999); Art Institute of Chicago (1998); and Isetan Art Gallery, Tokyo (1981).
“We are delighted to share this masterpiece with both the Mint Museum and our fellow North Carolinians,” said Philip Hanes. “According to one Cassatt scholar, Madame X was among the artist’s favorite works and was likely painted while Cassatt was working closely with her mentor, Edgar Degas.”
Painter and printmaker, Mary Cassatt (1844-1926), was born in Allegheny City, (Pittsburgh) Pennsylvania lived much of her adult life in France, where she became the only American artist (and one of only five women) to exhibit alongside the French Impressionists. Known for her sensitive depictions of mothers and their children, many of Cassatt’s works examined the social and private lives of women.
“Madame X is an outstanding example of Cassatt’s ambitious and celebrated treatment of women’s daily lives,” said Executive Director Kathleen V. Jameson. “Displaying a classic such as this helps people understand the multi-faceted nature of American art, one of the Mint’s major focus areas. It is tremendously gratifying to make this great painting available for the public to enjoy.”
After the exhibition closes in April 2011, the painting will be integrated into the American art galleries at the new Mint Museum Uptown. For more information, see www.mintmuseum.org or call 704.337.2000, and on Cassatt – www.marycassatt.org.