POST II: Bryan Choi

       During the Impressionist era, artists were determined to “discover for themselves a semblance of the individual freedom, self- determinacy, and sensual pleasure” (357 Eisenmen). Meaning artists were really painting for themselves to express the free will in their techniques of painting. Two magnificent exemplars of the impressionist were Mary Cassatt and Thomas Eakins. The two artists were both born in Pennsylvania, America, but have taken separate paths in making a statement as impressionist (369).

      Throughout the Impressionist era, Mary Cassatt stood out, simply because she is a woman artist who painted “only” women. The reason behind her bold move is because she is trying to make a statement. Throughout the history of art, gender plays a very important role because the women are mostly portrayed as subjects, meaning she doesn’t really have a role, other than being seductive or a symbolic figure like freedom or innocence. The painting of women is more for a male’s gaze, which indicates that only men are looking at the painting. The fact that women in paintings were treated as subjects for the male’s gaze, they hardly have any cloths or they are in the nude. Mary Cassatt was aware of this issue, and she wanted to address this by painting women in their everyday life.

     Mary Cassatt’s Woman in Black at the Opera (1880) is a perfect paradigm that she was trying to address to the male gazer. In this painting, viewers will see that the woman in black is using binocular to get a closer look of the opera. The woman is simply enjoying the opera by herself, without any men. During the Impressionist area, women must be accompanied by a man in order for her to go out. The artist is trying to paint a moment where a woman is just enjoying her freedom by herself. The woman is also painted in a very dark garment to camouflage from attention; therefore, she is hidden from the fact that she is by herself. Unlike traditional painting, the woman is not staring at her audience, the male gazer, because in traditional painting the woman stares for the male gazer. The woman is treated like a subject and decorative object for the men to watch. Mary Cassatt is trying to make a point of the gender issue, she wanted her woman figure to be aware that she is being watched, but she is ignoring her viewers for the amusement of the opera. Diagonal from the woman is a man who is also using a binocular, but staring right at the woman. The artist is trying to make a comparison, that both people in that scene are using a binocular, but for different reasons. The male is using the tool in favor of gawking at the lady, and he is depicted as a representation to the male gazer. In the other hand, the woman is enjoying her time, without caring anyone that is around her. Cassatt wanted equality in both gender so she gave humanity to women figures by painting them in everyday life.

     Unlike Mary Cassatt depiction of empowering women, Thomas Eakins painted many masterpieces that are symbolic to America. The Swimming Hole, painted in 1883-5 is perfect allegorical work that represents America. In this painting, they have six men and boys in the nude that are enjoying the peace and calm setting of nature. In traditional art, men are usually in the nude for playing a role of heroism and having honor, but Eakins depict the nude models as graceful and freedom. Some people refer to the painting as “Homoerotic” theme because it does not have traditional symbols that are entitled for men (“Eakins”). Once again gender issue is brought up, based on the fact that men that are in nude without traditional values are considered dreadful. Spectator must understand that the reason behind nudity in young man is to signify that America is free and young.

      Like many impressionist artist, Eakins painted his scene of joy and happiness in that “moment”, as well, as trying to capture light by painting the reflection of light from the water. The unique part of this painting is the touch of realism based on the detailed rock. Perhaps the reason for the touch of realism is to express the beauty of America and how nature plays a role in open, vast, and big. The open vast land means the endless of possibilities in America.

     Both artists from the impressionist era definitely painted their own viewpoints in their own artworks. The perspectives of the artists play an important role because spectator will never truly understand the artist’s emotions. Mary Cassatt is a woman; therefore, she will understand and react more towards the fact that women are treated as subjects in the painting. Cassatt and Eakins have broken traditional gender values and paint for their own interest. Like many impressionist, they wanted to depict the beauty, happiness and joy of life, so they painted a moment that can be appreciated by all. Move over the impressionist wanted to be free.

If any one wanted to see more artworks from Mary Cassatt click HERE!  

Works Cited 

"Eakins, Thomas The Swimming Hole (1885)." The Independent. Independent Digital News and Media. Web. 20 Oct. 2012. <http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/great-works/eakins-thomas-the-swimming-hole-1885-776575.html>. 

Eisenman, Stephen, and Thomas E. Crow. Nineteenth Century Art: A Critical History. New York: Thames & Hudson, 2011. Print.