On the Lake in the Bois de Boulogne 1884

Berthe Morisot made this oil on canvas painting of two figures in a boat, titled "On the Lake in the Bois de Boulogne," at an unknown date. Here we see a distinctly modern scene of bourgeois leisure. Morisot was one of the few female Impressionists, and her work provides insight into the lives of women in 19th-century France. In its day, the Bois de Boulogne was a constructed landscape, an artificial wilderness intended for the enjoyment of the Parisian upper classes. By showing us how the other half lived, Morisot’s painting hints at the social stratification of modern Paris. The swan was a potent symbol of wealth and elegance. They were introduced to the lake by the French aristocracy, so the birds in this scene provide a commentary on the way nature is used to reinforce social hierarchies. To fully understand such a scene, art historians often consult social and economic histories, period newspapers, and even fashion plates. All these sources can give us a fuller picture of the artist’s world, and shed light on how art reflects and shapes society.