Considered one of the greatest painters of mothers and their children, Mary Cassatt often used the soft, delicate medium of pastel to render her depictions of domestic interiors and family life. She is best known for her ability to capture the intimacies of familial relationships, particularly among women. Deemed radical for her independent lifestyle and career choice, Cassatt’s artistic practice was also innovative, particularly her use of pastel, which she adopted at least in part because of her friendship with Edgar Degas. Mother and Child is a modern interpretation of the Madonna and Child theme, which also expresses Cassatt’s pioneering techniques and mastery of her chosen medium.