On the Terrace 1874

Berthe Morisot made "On the Terrace" using oil paints, with the quick, visible brushstrokes characteristic of Impressionism. The beauty of this painting lies in its directness, the way Morisot captured a fleeting moment with such simplicity. It's interesting to consider how the textures and patterns within the painting evoke broader social issues of labor, class, and leisure. The clothing of the sitter, her dress, the straw hat are all products of industry and labor. There is a lot of handwork present on the dress, that would have been made by a dressmaker. Similarly, the scene itself, with figures casually enjoying the landscape, hints at changing social dynamics and the rise of a leisured class. Morisot invites us to contemplate the world around us, and see how it is shaped not only by artistic skill but also by the materials and labor that underlie our everyday lives. It challenges any strict separation of fine art from craft.