Precis 2

Broude, Norma. "Modern Woman or the Cult of True Womanhood?" Woman's Art Journal. 2
(2000-2001): 36-43.



Mary Cassatt is a woman who is independent and makes things her own way through her art. When she went to France, the woman were seen as passive who were only mothers and housewives. Cassatt is the opposite of how the French cult of true womanhood is supposed to be. She preferred to be single to keep her happiness and did just fine without a man on her side. Cassatt wanted to give woman a public voice through her paintings and show in them that woman should be respected. Mothers and children were painted in pictures that made you think about the meaning.The paintings of the mothers and children were in public places such as on the train, in the park, etc.. were to show how modern woman are supposed to interact in their child's lives and be able to let the world see their independence.



In the 18th century, being pregnant was not something that was as normal as it is today. Woman would be depressed while pregnant because they could not do the house work that needed to be done without feeling very tired. To change that mind set, Cassatt began to paint woman who were happy and fulfilled mothers who showed the joys motherhood. Later on the woman who were married without children because of these paintings became divorced and unhappy. Cassatt made art that showed respect for woman and how they could be beautiful naked. It is said in a piece of the article that Cassatt had a lead on the women's suffrage when she mand the painting, "