Cassatt’s Painting “Le Bain” Viewed with a Modern Twist
Mary Cassatt was an independent woman determined to pursue an art career despite not having her American family's support. Can you imagine a sixteen-year-old traveling to France to pursue an art career in the 19th century? She became a successful artist who was able to support herself and was accepted by male artists working in Paris at the time.
She and Degas developed a close friendship, and neither one of them liked the “label” of Impressionism. However, Cassatt used impressionist techniques and exhibited with the Impressionist painters.
Despite never marrying or having children, Mary Cassatt's favorite subjects were mothers and their children, who often modeled for her in interior settings or outdoor scenes. Her maternal themes are known for their tenderness and nurturing relationships, depicting her figures bathing, reading, and playing together. Her paintings are comforting and soothing until I viewed her painting “Le Bain” (1910) while researching Cassatt’s summer paintings for my monthly newsletter.
“The Swim” (Le Bain) 1910 is also known as “Two Mothers with their Children in a Boat”.
This painting is an excellent example of the Japanese influence of a diagonal composition and cropped boat close to the edge. If you notice, the mother in yellow and the two children create a triangular shape, which pulls us (the viewers) into her picture. She still uses a vibrant combination of complementary colors (yellow and violet in the women’s clothing) and loose brush strokes practiced by impressionism.
This website has an incredible feature that allows you to view this painting in high definition. You can experience her brush strokes and incorporation of colors, which you otherwise cannot detect in a photograph.
When I discovered this painting, it made me very uncomfortable. I speak from the perspective and experience of a mother, lifeguard, swim teacher, and swim coach, with no disrespect to Mary Cassatt.
After studying this painting, I immediately thought: Are those two young children going to swim alone? It appears they will. How can those women swim with or save two little girls wearing Jeanne Paquin's couture gowns? The outfits may have been impractical even when Cassatt painted them in 1910, but she needed help to resist painting flowy garments on a summer day. The current swim style was a “black” bathing dress, which would have been more boring, but I would have felt better.
This painting is almost too serene for the chaos about to ensue. I raised four children; they would not be sitting still in a boat, especially if they were told we were going out for a swim!
The little girl on the left with the blue bow already has her foot extended. I know what she is thinking! She wants to jump in; do not let that dreamy, sweet expression fool you. The woman in yellow offers a gentle touch on the child’s arm as a reminder to sit and wait. If I were her mother, I would hold my young daughter tighter.
A closer look reveals the women are not having a “conversation,” as suggested in one description I read. The mother in yellow appears to be giving the little girl wearing a pink ribbon “a look,” or maybe she is listening to the child asking to go in. Either way, I think she is the mother of both children.
Another description explained the girls, with their pale complexion, had been “prepared to swim.” In other words, their clothes were removed to swim nude. Maybe the women will do the same, and I am overreacting.
Did you notice that the oar is missing? And I doubt they had life jackets! The woman in violet looks off in the distance, steadying her hand on the decking platform. How comfortable is she feeling in this situation?
In contrast, the children seemed very relaxed; maybe obedient is a better word, as children in 1910 were well-behaved!
I view this painting as if I were standing on the edge of the pond watching, and I need to blow my whistle and jump in after them!
Do you think the children will swim alone? Will the women watch from the boat in their flowy gowns? Either way, Cassatt makes us a part of this painting, with her focus on the water being so close to us. Please feel free to leave your comments. I would love to hear from you.
