Why Mary Cassatt Almost Gave Up Painting

When you think of Mary Cassatt, you might picture sentimental scenes of mothers and children—but that image barely scratches the surface of Cassatt’s radical vision.
But this artist from Allegheny City broke the mold, painting women’s lives with a boldness and depth her contemporaries often ignored. In a world that undervalued female artists, Cassatt had to fight to be seen as a professional, someone worthy of respect in an art-world dominated by men.
So, who really was Mary Cassatt? Why did a recipient of the legion of honor almost give up painting entirely? Did Edgar Degas actually leave his mark on one of her most famous paintings?
Let’s explore the life of this overlooked pioneer who challenged society's view of what art—and an artist—could be.