An American in Paris: Cassatt, Degas, and the Impressionists in the 1870s

Erica Hirshler, Croll Senior Curator of American Paintings, Art of the Americas
“I took leave of conventional art,” related Mary Cassatt about her arrival in Paris in 1874. “I began to live.” Explore Cassatt’s innovative paintings and prints in the context of the international art scene of the French capital at the dawn of the Impressionist movement.
April 12, 2016

[@goodearthgardens6337]

Amazing lecture! Erica Hirsher is my new idol! A knowledgable and delightful speaker. Bravo!

[@aatt3209]

I cried a bit learning about Cassatt's struggle to achieve her status as a impressionist painter in her own right. She deserve to be well-known by a wider audience. I am so glad that Hirshler's lecture opened up my eyes to Cassatt's incredible contribution to impressionism and I hope to see her paintings in person soon. Thank you so much for this informative lecture on Cassatt.

[@opera93]

Thanks, as struggling artist myself........ Cassatt’s works great!......

[@gloriapinskerportraits4801]

Erica Hirschler is always a delight to hear. Love her lectures. Cassatt is a favorite artist of mine.

[@kevinchambers1101]

A truly excellent lecture.

[@ronaldzincone7764]

Another wonderful presentation on the Impressionists by the MFA.

[@melindacopper2481]

just discovered these lectures, Degas and Cassatt are my favorite artists and I never get to see them in person, so appreciate these overviews. I love figure drawing, and finding people who will sit still is hard, having lights in the theater so you can draw people sitting still would be so great... musicians hop around now too.

[@popajr58]

Thank you for the tour I loved it.

[@hassanmannana8731]

i like this spacial presentation make me soothed ...thank you for sharing ; and i have the pleaser to see the news...

[@ivetenarizzano2165]

Hassan Mannana er

[@irener1892]

Wonderful lecture

[@janicebrown3333]

Wonderful!♥️

[@gabyroberts9601]

Thank you very much

[@samuelmarkpack5308]

30:30 In the painting of the Spanish period (right), instead of a cookie I think the bullfighter is holding an "azucarillo" (a rigid, sugar foam used to sweeten glasses of water). it was popular in the 19th Century. You can still buy azucarillos in the Riojano pastry shop near Puerta del Sol in Madrid.

[@ChiaraOdessa]

the subtitles would be appropriate and very useful

[@wendywenham6842]

Tickle the ivories means play the piano.

[@AleadaA]

So sticking your leg up while showing your underwear was more relevant than ladies having tea - no matter how well painted - has society changed is the big ?

[@Johnconno]

Picasso hated America.

[@gparrish1978]

It is unfortunate that the banal story of Impressionism still resonates in the minds of benighted art historians. Mary Cassatt is interesting when one removes her context, exhibiting next to other, better painters with skill and insight. These painters were not impressionists. Impressionism appeals to amateurs and also-rans.

[@artsiecrafty4164]

What’s wrong with wanting to beautifully render a human form? Oh, I forgot, this is the age of ugliness.