The North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh has acquired ‘Portrait of Madame X Dressed for the Matinée’ by the American painter Mary Cassatt. The canvas is the first painting by Cassatt to enter the museum’s permanent collection.

‘Portrait of Madame X Dressed for the Matinée’ was executed by Cassatt shortly after she started exhibiting alongside Edgar Degas and other European Impressionists. Cassatt was one of only two women to be accepted into the close-knit circle of artists. Exuding energy and liveliness, ‘Portrait of Madame X Dressed for the Matinée’ illustrates Cassatt’s transition to a fully impressionist style.   

Before joining the North Carolina Museum’s collection, the painting had been owned by the late Winston-Salem-base collector, R. Philip Hanes, and his wife, Charlotte. Anonymous donors and Ms. Hanes gifted the painting to the museum to honor R. Philip’s memory. 

‘Portrait of Madame X Dressed for the Matinée’ will go on view in the North Carolina Museum of Art’s Impressionist Gallery later this month.