Mary Stevenson Cassatt (1844-1926). American painter who lived an important part of her life in France, where she became friends with Edgar Degas and other impressionists. She painted scenes of the social and private lives of women and emphasized the intimate and maternal bond between mothers and children. A close bond with Degas affected her creations (e.g. use of pastels). Already during her lifetime, she was a respected painter whose paintings were sold at salons. Along with Marie Bracquemond and Berthe Morisot, Mary Cassatt is considered one of the great ladies of impressionism.