Jim Caldwell talks about Mary Cassatt at First Friday event on January 3

Mary Cassatt holds a unique place in the history of American artists. She spent 60 years in France and she was the only American to have exhibited with the impressionists.

She never married or had children, but her reputation was secured by her tender portrayal of the relationship between mother and child.

She was a close friend of Edgar Degas, Berthe Morisot and Camille Pissarro.

Her paintings are in the collections of most major museums, but she was also considered to be one of the greatest print makers of her generation.

Jim Caldwell is an artist, teacher, art historian, and architect. He received his BA from Williams and Master of Architecture Degree from Yale. He spent a year at the Ecole Des Beaux Arts studying painting and print making. He has lived for 50 years in a house which he designed in Woodside. He will speak about Mary Cassatt’s brilliant and fascinating career.

This 45 minute presentation includes more than 50 beautiful images of paintings, dry points, and pastels. The painting shown is Mother and Child (A Goodnight Hug).

This free First Friday event takes place on January 3 from 7:00 to 8:00 pm at Woodside Independence Hall (2955 Woodside Rd.)