Indiana University Indiana University IU

Browse the collection

The Coiffure, Study of Nude

A semi-nude, light-skinned woman is sitting on the edge of a bed in front of a large wall mirror, pinning up her hair. She sits on a chair with pink and cream stripes. The wall and carpet have a pink tone and are patterned.

A semi-nude, light-skinned woman is sitting on the edge of a bed in front of a large wall mirror, pinning up her hair. She sits on a chair with pink and cream stripes. The wall and carpet have a pink tone and are patterned.

Artist Mary Cassatt (American, 1844–1926)
Title The Coiffure, Study of Nude (Etude, Femme se coiffant)
Date 1890–1891
Medium Color aquatint and drypoint on paper
Dimensions Image: 14 3/8 × 10 9/16 in. (36.5 × 26.8 cm)
Plate: 14 3/8 × 10 9/16 in. (36.5 × 26.8 cm)
Sheet: 17 1/8 × 11 15/16 in. (43.5 × 30.3 cm)
Credit Line Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University
Accession Number 76.145

Share this artwork!

About this Work

A native of Pennsylvania, Mary Cassatt began her formal training as a painter in 1861 and spent most of her life and career in Paris. Edgar Degas saw her work and asked her to show with the Impressionists, after which Cassatt’s subject matter began to reflect more scenes of contemporary life, particularly of her own domestic environment. Degas also encouraged her to try printmaking. She produced more than 220 prints and is particularly noted for her innovative color prints. This rare print is part of a series of ten works in an edition of 25 impressions that reflect Cassatt’s interest in Japanese techniques, compositions, and subjects after seeing an exhibition of ukiyo-e woodcuts in 1890. She particularly admired Kitagawa Utamaro’s scenes of courtesans in their daily activities, which she modernized through the use of an intaglio technique and with her family and friends as models.


1976, Indiana University Art Museum purchase from David Tunick, Inc., New York, NY (old curator card notes that it was bought at auction with Mr. Tunick as museum agent)

Provenance research is ongoing for this and many other items in the Eskenazi Museum of Art permanent collection. For more information about the provenance of this artwork, please contact the department curator with specific questions.

January 21–May 3, 1987, "Printmaker's Palette: Modern Prints from the Indiana University Art Museum Collection," Hexagon Gallery, Indiana University Art Museum, Bloomington, IN

Printer M. Leroy (French, 1876 - 1900)

Viewing Information
This artwork is currently off display. You may be able to see this artwork by filling out an art viewing room request.

 

Request this Image
The Eskenazi Museum of Art provides images of its collection, free of charge, upon request. This artwork is under copyright protection. You can request the image and it will be emailed to you when the request is complete.

Cite this Page
"The Coiffure, Study of Nude | Collections Online." Collections Online. Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 2024. https://artmuseum.indiana.edu/collections-online/browse/object.php?number=76.145