Discover the Mary Cassatt Exhibition: Why You Need to See It Now
A landmark Mary Cassatt exhibition opens at Paris’s Musée d’Orsay on October 6, marking 100 years since the American Impressionist’s death. “Mary Cassatt: The Choice of Independence” brings together nearly 80 paintings, pastels, and prints. It’s the first major show devoted to her in France, and a perfect reason for art lovers over 50 to plan a trip.
Why the Mary Cassatt Exhibition Matters to You
Cassatt’s story speaks directly to anyone who has charted their own course. Born near Pittsburgh in 1844, she moved to Paris, never married, and became the only American to exhibit with the French Impressionists.
Her later years resonate too. Failing eyesight from cataracts forced her to stop painting around 1914, yet she stayed active, advising American collectors and supporting women’s right to vote.
For many readers, her tender images of mothers, children, and family life also stir memories of their own.
Cassatt also proved that a career can be built on your own terms. She sold her work, mentored collectors, and helped bring Impressionism to American museums. Many of the Cassatt paintings Americans love today hang in U.S. collections partly because of the connections she made.
Key Facts and Context
According to the Musée d’Orsay, the show runs October 6, 2026, to January 31, 2027. It was organized with London’s National Portrait Gallery and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and draws on unpublished letters.
- Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursdays until 9:45 p.m.
- Closed: Mondays and December 25.
- Admission: About €12 to €16.
- Bonus: An opening lecture is scheduled for October 16.
Cassatt died in France in June 1926, so this centenary season is a once-in-a-generation look at her full career.
The exhibition traces her journey from early academic training through her bold Impressionist years and her celebrated color prints. Expect familiar favorites alongside rarely seen works, plus letters that reveal her sharp, independent voice. Allow at least two hours to take it all in without rushing.
What This Means for You
Whether you go to Paris or enjoy Cassatt closer to home, here’s how to make the most of this moment.
Is a Fall or Winter Paris Trip Worth It?
Often, yes. Late fall and winter bring thinner crowds and lower hotel rates than summer. Book timed museum tickets online, and aim for a weekday morning or Thursday evening. Our guide to smart ways to fly to Europe can help you find flights.
How Can You Visit Comfortably?
Plan for rest. The Orsay is large, so pace yourself, use the elevators, and take a café break between galleries. Consider a guided tour, and pack comfortable shoes. Pairing museum days with slower afternoons follows the slow travel approach many retirees love.
Can You See Cassatt Without a Passport?
Absolutely. Major U.S. collections, including the National Gallery of Art in Washington, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, hold Cassatt works. Use TripsNearby to discover day trips and outings to museums near you, and explore more ideas in our look at global art scenes for adults 50+.
Looking Forward
A century after her death, Mary Cassatt still reminds us that independence and creativity have no expiration date. Her career shows how to keep contributing even as circumstances change.
Whether you stroll the Orsay this winter or visit a gallery nearby, make time to see her work. It may inspire your own next chapter.
Bring a friend, a grandchild, or simply a sketchbook. Cassatt spent her life looking closely at the people she loved, and her work invites us to do the same.