At the Beach in Nice 1882

Berthe Morisot captured this watercolor image, *At the Beach in Nice*, with fluid brushstrokes. The parasol is the central motif, a symbol deeply entwined with protection and status. Consider the evolution of the parasol: from ancient Eastern emblem of power, shielding royalty from the sun, to its appearance in 18th and 19th century Europe as a symbol of bourgeois gentility, protecting delicate complexions. The parasol is like a modern Venus, surrounded by an aureole of feminine virtue. Yet, here, Morisot presents it in a less formal manner; its protective function almost secondary to the intimate portrayal of mother and daughter at leisure. The fleeting moment Morisot captures is emotionally charged, a sentimental bond between mother and child. The parasol's form has recurred throughout art history, each time carrying echoes of its past, and adapting to its present. It is a potent reminder of how symbols transcend their original context.