This work, also known as Mother and Child Before a Pool or Young Motherhood, captures the intimate bond between a mother and her son. The mother is depicted fully engrossed in her child, her attention turned solely towards him, while the son appears lost in thought, his gaze averted from the viewer.

This piece is regarded as one of Cassatt's most ambitious color prints, notable for its size and painterly quality. Employing techniques akin to monotype, Cassatt manipulated inks to create color variations, especially evident in the vibrant blues and greens of the pond. Her drypoint technique allowed for subtle yet precise rendering, particularly in the delicate modeling of the figures' flesh tones, a characteristic more commonly associated with her paintings and pastels.

In By the Pond, Cassatt not only captures the tender moment shared between mother and child but also demonstrates her mastery of printmaking techniques, seamlessly blending elements of painting with the graphic medium. Cassatt challenges societal norms through her art and celebrates the depth and complexity of women's experiences, cementing her legacy as a pioneering feminist artist within the Impressionist movement. Cassatt's paintings exemplify this perspective, particularly her portrayals of women and children.

Mary Cassatt, a prominent figure in the French Impressionist movement, stood out as one of the few female artists and the only American among them. Her artistic vision was deeply rooted in her belief that women deserved to be recognized as individuals in their own right rather than mere objects of male admiration or sensuality.