Cassatt's mother had always been one of her most valued supporters, traveling with her during her early studies in Europe and writing perceptively about Mary's projects. She was also the model for some of Cassatt's strongest portraits, of which this painting claims to be the finest. The picture won approval from the whole family and was sent back to Alexander in Philadelphia with a note from Mr. Cassatt: 'I hope you will be pleased with the portrait; in fact, I do not allow myself to doubt that you will be... Here there is but one opinion as to its excellence.'

In 1879, "Reading Le Figaro" was exhibited by the Society of American Artists in New York, where it won critical acclaim: "Among the technically best pictures in the entire collection was Miss Cassatt's portrait, a capitally drawn figure of an agreeable-looking, middle-aged lady. It is pleasant to see how well an ordinary person dressed in an ordinary way can be made to look."

Painted just after her parents' move to Paris in 1877, the picture demonstrates Mrs. Cassatt's rapid acclimatization to her new surroundings. The Parisian newspaper symbolizes her adopted country and situates her within the intellectual and political life of France in a way usually confined to depictions of men. Cassatt too was having to come to terms with her changed cultural surroundings; this picture affirms her new Impressions allegiances in its use of the everyday and its robust, truthful representation.

Colors and forms are softer than before, although Cassatt's interest in contrasting patterns and planes still underlies the composition. Mrs. Cassatt's rounded shoulders are echoed and strengthened by the back of the armchair, while her head is centered against the plain creamy wall.

The great expanse of white dress gives the figure a solid, even monumental aspect, despite the unassuming, self-absorbed pose. The latter is reinforced by the mirror reflection, which adds complexity to the play of angles and spatial depth and counteracts the surface spread of pale tones. In these ways, Cassatt avoids blandness or crudity, modulating between dark and light tones with great control.