210 - Mary CASSATT (1844–1926)

Mary CASSATT (1844–1926) Portrait of a Young Man Pastel on beige paper, mounted flat 33.4 x 26.4 cm On the back of the frame, the following is written in pen: “Souvenir de Mlle Mary Cassatt, Mathilde Vales,” followed by the following inscriptions: “This painting is part of the (…) from the studio left to her (…) by Miss Cassatt; we (…) immediately after the (…) of the artist, guaranteed (…) by her lady-in-waiting Madame Mathilde (…) to Madame Lavergne (…) (having) full knowledge and a (…) and a verbal (…) by Miss Cassatt; Bernard Lavergne, June 10, 1925, 1 avenue du Roule, Neuilly-sur-Seine.” Sun-faded, small spots, scuffs, minor losses Mary Cassatt was an American artist who was part of the Impressionist movement. Born into a family of French origin, Cassatt spent time in Paris during her childhood and settled there in 1865 after completing her art studies in Pennsylvania. She studied under Jean-Léon Gérôme and Thomas Couture, and met Edgar Degas in 1875. Close friends with Degas, Berthe Morisot, and Camille Pissarro, Mary Cassatt joined the Impressionist group and began exhibiting her paintings in their shows as early as 1879. She specialized in portraits, which she often painted outdoors with a realistic style and vibrant colors. In 1894, Cassatt purchased the Château de Beaufresne in Le Mesnil-Théribus, where she often spent her summers. There, she befriended her neighbors, Alfred and Magdeleine Lavergne, with whom she remained close until her death in 1925. In 1968, the Lavergne family donated to the Louvre a pastel of Magdeleine Lavergne by Cassatt, which is now part of the Musée d’Orsay’s collection. Two inscriptions in different handwritings were also affixed to the back of the frame: one by Monique Loup, Madame Lavergne’s daughter, and the other by Etienne Copel, Monique Loup’s nephew. Inscription by Monique Loup: “To my dearest nephew and niece, Etienne and Mamaïe Copel, as a token of my deep and lasting affection, this sketch by Mary Cassatt (one of the Three Great American Impressionists).” Mary Cassatt spent the end of her life in Mesnil-Thérybus, 6 km from Villotran. Our parents became friends with the great artist in her twilight years, and upon her death in 1925, they were invited to choose whatever they wanted from her studio—hence this sketch of a young boy, (sketch), which was thrown into a pond during the German occupation in 1940, then retrieved from the water by a kind, unknown hand; this tragic submersion explains the damage visible on the canvas. Monique Loup, Saint-Germain-en-Laye, June 10, 1985” Inscription by Etienne Copel: “Monique Loup—who gave us this painting—is the daughter of Madeleine Lavergne, née Mellon, sister of my grandfather Etienne (who died in 1914 during the war). Villatran, in the Oise department, is the castle belonging to Madeleine’s mother. Madeleine often visited there, which allowed her to meet Miss Cassatt and become her friend. The handwritten lines were written by Bernard Lavergne, a law professor and Madeleine’s husband. When we received this painting, it was in poor condition, though not as bad as my aunt Monique had feared. In fact, it was covered with water stains, most of which were removed thanks to the work of Mr. Alain Bonchardon, a restorer known in particular for his work on numerous pieces at the Palace of Versailles. Note: Before her death in Saint-Germain, my aunt Monique owned a large portrait of her mother painted by Mary Cassatt, which she had set aside for the Louvre. I was unable to locate this painting among the works on display. General Etienne Copel. Mesnil-Saint-Père – July 2010. ” In 1968, the Lavergne family donated to the Louvre a pastel of Magdeleine Lavergne by Cassatt, which is now part of the Musée d’Orsay’s collections. (Inventory number: RF 31873)