Mary Cassatt's pastel "Helene de Septeuil" will travel from its home at The William Benton Museum of Art to the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. The most valuable work in the Benton's permanent collection, the pastel will be loaned to these institutions as part of an exhibition of the artist's work, "Mary Cassatt: Modern Woman" curated by Judith A. Barber from The Chicago Art Institute. It will be on view at The Art Institute of Chicago from October 10 to January 10, 1999. The entire exhibition will then travel to The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston for display from February 6-May 19, 1999.

Because the pastel is sensitive to light and movement, it had to be packed for transport with special care. It was given a new protective mount complete with shatterproof glass, and placed in a specially designed triple-tiered, shock-absorbent, waterproof crate. The special packing avoids the loosening and movement of pastel particles.

Mary Cassatt (1844-1926) was the only American invited to exhibit with the legendary French Impressionist painters. She is probably best known for her portraits of women and the subjects of mother and child.

Created in 1890, "Helene de Septeuil" was purchased by the University in 1948 with funds bequeathed by Charles Lewis Beach in memory of his wife, Louise Crombie Beach.

Sherry Fisher