Made in 1890–1891, the work was inspired by Cassatt's attendance of an exhibition of Japanese woodblock prints, known as Ukiyo-e.

[2] Cassatt was inspired to create the piece after viewing a Paris exhibition of Japanese woodblock prints organized by the École des Beaux-Arts in April 1890.

[3] Cassatt wrote a letter later in the week to her friend and fellow painter, Berthe Morisot, expressing her fascination with the Japanese prints.

[3] In the fall of 1890 and winter of 1891, Cassatt made hundreds of drypoint etchings in her studio, including The Coiffure.

[6] Cassatt's piece was partially inspired by the 18th-century print Takashima Ohisa Using Two Mirrors to Observe Her Coiffure by Kitagawa Utamaro, which she had in her personal collection.