Mary Cassatt

Born into a wealthy American family, Cassatt went to Europe to study against her father's wishes and settled in Paris. In 1877 Degas invited her to exhibit with the Impressionists; she was the only American to show with them officially.

She is best known for scenes of mothers and children, and, inspired by Japanese prints, made a celebrated series of colour prints. She also helped American collectors acquire Impressionist works, shaping the great Impressionist holdings of American museums. Cataracts left her nearly blind in old age and forced her to stop painting.