Mary Cassatt

Mary Cassatt is one of the first great female American painters. She followed her dreams and became an artist. At age 16, Mary attended the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Four years later she moved to France to begin her career.

This young American received the chance of a lifetime in 1877 when notable French painter, Edgar Degas, asked her to join a group of painters. This group included now-famous painters, such as Manet and Renoir. Their style or type of painting is called Impressionism. They used primary colors and short brush strokes in their work.

Mary's work largely depicts mothers and children doing everyday tasks. She painted "Young Mother and Two Children" in 1908. The painting was given to the White House by an anonymous donor in 1954. Mary painted until 1914, when her eyesight weakened. She died in 1926.