  About the Artwork
  
  
  In 1872 Mary Cassatt exhibited her work in the Paris Salon, where it attracted the attention of Edgar Degas, who introduced her to the impressionists, with whom she exhibited several times. Cassatt shared with the impressionists an interest in everyday scenes and is primarily known for her intimate depictions of women, children, and family members. Mary Cassatt painted her beloved brother several times, but this portrait was her favorite because, she said, it "was very much like him in those days."
 
At the time this portrait was painted, Alexander Cassatt was first vice president of the Pennsylvania Railroad and one of the most powerful executives in the country. The businessman is seen absorbed in his thoughts, not in the least aware that he is being painted by his sister. Leaning back in his chair, he reveals perhaps a touch of farsightedness as he examines something in his left hand. The portrait suggests both the humanity and reserve that were attributed to Alexander.
  
  
  Title
  Alexander J. Cassatt
  
  
  Artwork Date
  ca. 1880
  
  Artist
  Mary Cassatt
  
  
  
  Life Dates
  1844-1926
  
  
  
  
  Nationality
  
  
  
  Please note:
  Definitions for nationality may vary significantly, depending on chronology and world events.
  Some definitions include:
  Belonging to a people having a common origin based on a geography and/or descent and/or tradition and/or culture and/or religion and/or language, or sharing membership in a legally defined nation.
  
  
  
  American
  
  
  
  Culture
  
  
  
  Please note:
  Cultures may be defined by the language, customs, religious beliefs, social norms, and material traits of a group.
  
  
  
  
  ----------
  
  
  Medium
  Oil on canvas
  
  
  Dimensions
  Unframed: 25 3/4 × 36 3/8 inches (65.4 × 92.4 cm)
  Framed: 35 1/8 × 45 3/4 × 2 1/4 inches (89.2 × 116.2 × 5.7 cm)
  
  
  Classification
  Paintings
  
  
  Department
  American Art before 1950
  
  
  Credit
  Founders Society Purchase, Robert H. Tannahill Foundation Fund
  
  
  
  Accession Number
  
  
  
  This unique number is assigned to an individual artwork as part of the cataloguing process at the time of entry into the permanent collection.
  Most frequently, accession numbers begin with the year in which the artwork entered the museum’s holdings.
  For example, 2008.3 refers to the year of acquisition and notes that it was the 3rd of that year. The DIA has a few additional systems—no longer assigned—that identify specific donors or museum patronage groups.
  
  
  
  1986.60
  
  
  Copyright
  ----------
