Knitting in the Library (verso) (c. 1881)

Dated c. 1881, "Knitting in the Library (verso)" is an artwork by Mary Cassatt. About the period around c. 1881: In the 1890s, colour lithography and Art Nouveau made the illustrated poster a celebrated art form. The later nineteenth century is the era of Impressionism, whose first group exhibition was held in Paris in 1874, followed by Post-Impressionism, Symbolism, and the Arts and Crafts movement. It is listed in the Drawings collection. The image is in landscape orientation. Drawings in brief: Drawings range from quick preparatory sketches to finished works in pen, chalk, charcoal, graphite, or wash. Because line carries so much of the effect, drawings tend to reward close looking at the quality of the mark.

On onlly.art "Knitting in the Library (verso)" is sold as a digital download (Digital JPEG + PDF files, 300 DPI). The files are delivered by email after payment, so nothing is shipped: you print locally, choosing the paper, size, and frame yourself. A landscape format suits wide, low wall spaces such as the stretch above a bed, mantel, or sideboard. Drawings and sketches stand out through line clarity and a sense of the artist process, which makes them a natural fit for minimalist, monochrome, and graphic interiors. Before printing, compare the proportions of the file with your frame so that nothing important is cropped. Matte and fine-art papers reduce glare in bright rooms, while glossy papers give stronger contrast and deeper blacks. Choosing a standard frame size and printing to fit it often saves the cost of custom framing. Screens and printers render colour differently, so a small test print is a sensible way to check tones before committing to a large size.

American, 1844–1926

If you like the visual language of Mary Cassatt, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.