Degas’ Influence on Mary Cassatt

In 1877, at the invitation of Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt had the opportunity to participate in the Impressionist’s Exhibition.  She became the only American artist to become an established member of the Impressionist group.  Following the exhibition Degas became Cassatt’s mentor as they collaborated in 1879 for a journal of Impressionist prints called Jour et la Nuit, or Day and Night, the journal, however, never materialized.   

The two had much in common, both came from wealthy upper-middle class families, and both had spent time coping the masters in France and Italy, both were intelligent as well as opinionated and they had similar taste in literature and in art, rejecting the conventional artistic traditions.  Both artists helped to encourage and assist the other’s artistic career. 

Though Cassatt viewed the older Degas as a mentor, both artists had an impact on the other’s work.  Cassatt duplicated Degas’ pastel work and Degas soon began to experiment with Cassatt’s techniques of combining pastel, gouache, and metallic paint on paper mounted on canvas.  Degas helped to inspire Cassatt’s mature style and she was a help to him with her encouragement.  Degas’ impact on Cassatt’s work is evident in her oblique views, simplified forms, and flat compositions. 

Their turbulent 40 year friendship was bound by mutual respect for each other’s art.  Over the years they became close companions and even modeled for each other.  When Degas died in 1917, Cassatt attended his funeral.