Berthe Morisot
Original title: Berthe Morisot
kurzbeschreibung
In 1872 Edouard Manet made this portrait of Berthe Morisot as an etching with drypoint. She appears facing forward, wearing a striking hat and curly hair. The sheet is the first of three states, with a plate size of 11.9 x 7.9 cm.
Description
A woman is seen from the front; her face and upper body dominate the image. She wears a hat with a wavy, distinctive shape, and curly hair spills out from under it. A dark top with a white shirt underneath forms her clothing. The rendering stays in black tones, the light is evenly distributed, and no shadows are discernible.
Context
During the 1870s Edouard Manet portrayed the painter Berthe Morisot several times. She was a close confidante and sometimes modeled for him; in 1874 she married his brother Eugène. The 1872 etching falls in a phase when both artists worked closely together and influenced each other artistically.
Impact
Fine lines and the lively rendering of hair and garment give the sheet expressiveness. Despite the small format, the portrait feels intimate and at the same time present; the sitter's character comes through.
Technique
Etching and drypoint, executed in the first of three states. The plate measures 11.9 x 7.9 cm, the sheet 21.3 x 16 cm. The drypoint leaves fine, burred lines that give the print a distinct softness and depth.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)