Mary Cassatt is a strong, independent woman who don't need no man to drive her buggy.

This could be the very first image of a woman driving. In those days, women were supposed to stay at home. It was very unusual for a woman to own her own horse and buggy like Cassatt did.

The woman driving the carriage is Lydia Cassatt, the artist’s sister. The young girl looking rather bored is one of Edgar Degas’ nieces.

Cassatt had decided she was not going to get married, as it would impede her art career. She lived in Paris with her sister who was also single. It was unseemly for a single woman to live alone, much less be independent and be an artist. Her sister Lydia was in quite a few of her paintings. Lydia died the year after this painting was made, leaving Cassatt bereft and temporarily unable to work.

Cassatt’s circle of friends included several of the Impressionists. Degas and Cassatt had a “very close” relationship. They often worked side by side and make frequent trips to the Louvre. Since women were not allowed to hang out in the cafes and bars with the men, they often entertained in their home and Degas was a frequent dinner guest.