I have already written on numerous occasions that the 'Exhibition on Screen' series of art documentaries initiated by Phil Grabsky (who also conceived and produced many of the episodes) is the most important cinematic event dedicated to the visual arts of the last decade, a treasure trove of information and beauty accompanying many of the major exhibitions that took place during this period. 'Mary Cassatt: Painting the Modern Woman' is not directed by Grasby but by director Ali Ray, and unlike most of the other films in the series, it is not linked to a specific exhibition. The film is closer to the structure of a classic biographical documentary, even though some of the invited experts are associated with the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC and a significant part of the paintings discussed are housed by the same museum. As the title states, however, the film aims to present us with a special vision of the life, work and influence of the artist in her era, linking the biographical and artistic aspects with the social and political involvement of Mary Cassatt. The result is not only a beautiful and interesting film, as we can expect any of the 'Exhibition on Screen' films to be, but also a manifesto perspective, suitable for the first week of March.
The film follows the life of Mary Cassatt roughly chronologically - an interesting biography and a quite different one from those of many artists of her generation. She was born in a family of Pittsburgh bankers who encouraged her inclinations, financed her education and made her a life far from material worries. However, having an independent character, she wanted to build a stable artistic career. When her studies in the United States reached the limit to which they could contribute to personal and artistic development, she travelled to Europe, discovering the Paris of the years of the impressionist revolution. She met the important artists who were changing the direction of the visual arts and integrated into their group. She also traveled and lived for short periods in Italy and France, acquiring a life experience and an artistic culture that few of his contemporaries had. She lived in exile in France for more than half her life, but remained deeply connected to the United States, becoming politically involved and significantly contributing to the acquiring of works by European artists - impressionists in particular, but also those who preceded her and those who followed - in North American private collections and in museums. Was the choice of almost exclusively female themes a social constraint or a personal decision? If we are to be guided by the comments in this film, it would rather be about the second option. Not only did Mary Cassatt portray women in private as well as in social settings and public events better than any other artist of her generation, but she was active in the political life advocating for women's equal rights and in especially the right to vote.
'Mary Cassatt: Painting the Modern Woman' offers just about everything we've come to expect from an 'Exhibition on Screen' series. The camera takes us on an immersive experience in the galleries that house the artist's works, and knowledgeable commentators (all women) bring meaningful and interesting information about the works and the artist. Detail shots add value and provide insights that we wouldn't always discover on our own, even if we were in front of the paintings. The only observation I would make about the way the presentation is organized is that detailing the biographical aspects leaves too little time for deeper analyzes of the technical aspects. I enjoyed the comparative presentations of female portraits alongside those of Mary Cassatt's contemporaries, but I would have liked to have learned more and seen more of her artistic techniques from the Impressionist period and her work in engravings. Even so, the overall impression is overwhelmingly positive and the feeling as a moviegoer and art lover is that of visiting a beautiful virtual exhibition. A retrospective exhibition will be held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art this year, the first major exhibition of the artist's work in 25 years. The film 'Mary Cassatt: Painting the Modern Woman' is an excellent introduction and a valuable complementary documentary material.
