Mary Cassatt – The Choice of Independence

From 6 October 2026 to 31 January 2027, the musée d’Orsay is staging its first major exhibition in France dedicated to Mary Cassatt, marking the centenary of her death. An American artist who made Paris her home, Cassatt established herself as a central figure in the Impressionist movement. The exhibition ‘The Choice of Independence’ celebrates her determination to live and work freely, highlighting her unique history in painting, pastels and prints.

An exceptional chronological and thematic layout

With nearly 80 works – paintings, pastels and prints – the exhibition traces Cassatt’s career, from her academic beginnings inspired by the old masters to her colourful and modern experiments. Rare pieces from American and European collections rarely exhibited in France offer an immersive dive into her artistic universe. Unpublished letters and personal documents enrich the exhibition, revealing this artist who rejected conventions and forged her own path between Paris and the United States.

Beyond painting: an artistic commitment

Mary Cassatt, the only woman among the Impressionists, was able to impose a feminine and innovative perspective. Her works celebrate motherhood, intimacy and the everyday gestures of modern women, transcending a sentimental vision to reveal artistic, psychological and social power. In collaboration with the National Portrait Gallery in London and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, this exhibition offers a fresh perspective on Cassatt, celebrating her independence, audacity and legacy in modern art.