Today my Flashback is a little different from quilting, embroidery and sewing, etc. A special post from a few years ago, I reexamine the work of Mary Cassatt. Born in Pittsburgh, she was just a few years older than my mothers mother. I never knew that grandmother and knew very little about her life and times for that matter. Born to a wealthy first generation Irish/American family, she was raised to be an educated and refined young woman when that was not the norm for women in that culture. Her world view was formed by that progressive background and after she graduated from a woman's teachers college, she was beautifully photographed as the epitome of the Gibson girl. She was known for marching in the suffragette parades in the city. Then she fell in love, married my grandfather, left the enclave that had nurtured her. Life was difficult because he was poor. A miner and a student, her family essentially disowned her when she abandoned her Irish Catholic roots for a protestant theological student. She birthed two children in 5 years, contracted the Spanish Flu and died in 1918. My mother rarely spoke of her mother. Her little brother died shortly after her mother. My grandfather remarried and the grandmother I knew was Corinne. The gentle woman for whom this blog was named. She was my inspiration.
All this is to frame the era of Mary Cassatt. A revolutionary in her own right, Mary was influenced by several artistic movements and the men who shaped them at the turn of the century. I have added a video HERE, that delves into her growth as an artist and features glimpses into her stream of work. It references her Pittsburgh roots and her world travels as well. Mary never had any children of her own and I think that is why her Mother and Child artwork is so compelling.
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| One of my favorite paintings, Young Mother Sewing, by Mary Cassatt (the complete works of Mary Cassatt HERE) |
Originally published in June, 2020, here we go again. More and more, tea time is becoming a time to ponder, journal, and study
for me. The impressionist movement has always been a passion. While I
claim minimal intellectual understanding, the romantic, peaceful, and
comforting scenes take me to a time when I presume, by choice, that life
was more simple, more relaxing, kinder, and certainly more creative.
With no intrusion of ringing phones or televisions, the sounds of life
can permeate the deepest thought. I was very happy that The Daily
Connoisseur, Jennifer L. Scott, chose Mary for our June Chic Assignment.
Changing my pace of life, which includes hand needlework, has given me
an opportunity to grow in skill, even though I seem to remove as much as
I keep! I am the queen of the stitch ripper!
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| It seems that I polish the silver more than I use it! This was not the pot of the day but it was clean so I thought I would share. This pot came from the UK. I have always liked the lines on this one. Itty-bitty little feet hold it up. |
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| Mother Playing With Child |
So, Tuesday Tea is about Mary Cassaat. She led an interesting life. Such talent at a time when female artists had to work very hard to be recognized. Her own family never appreciated her work. She loved children and the mother/child relationship.
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| Mother With Child 7 |
Here is the link to Jennifer's discussion if you are interested. Enjoy that cuppa.
Jennifer Scott discusses Mozart and Mary Cassaat over tea.
The Best of Mozart HERE
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