Swan and Duck, with portraits of Julie 1889

Berthe Morisot made this drypoint print, Swan and Duck, with portraits of Julie, in France sometime in the late 19th century. It depicts her daughter Julie Manet along with the birds in a scene reminiscent of leisure and domesticity. Looking closely, the scene's informality and the soft sketch-like lines are typical of the Impressionists, who often represented the everyday lives of the rising middle class. Yet, Morisot's art diverges from her peers. As a female artist within a male-dominated art world, she often focused on the interior lives of women and the intimate bonds of family, challenging the norms of the time. To more fully understand Morisot, consider her role in the Impressionist movement and consult historical documents such as letters, exhibition reviews, and family archives. It's through understanding this social and institutional context that we can truly appreciate the nuance and quiet rebelliousness of her vision.