Portrait of Berthe Morisot 1871 - 1881

Marcellin Desboutin created this etching, titled "Portrait of Berthe Morisot." Morisot's clasped hands are an evocative image, reminiscent of depictions of modesty and introspection seen throughout art history. We can trace this motif back to classical sculpture, where figures often held their hands in a similar manner to convey virtue and composure. In religious painting, such as portraits of the Virgin Mary, this gesture suggests humility and reverence. Here, the gesture is more ambiguous; we can see a reflection of a modern, internalised psychological state that transcends time. There is a sense of constraint, but also a quiet strength, and a psychological complexity inherent in the very act of portraiture, where the sitter is both subject and object. It’s a symbol, really, of the complex dance between self-presentation and interiority, resonating across centuries.