Girl Plaiting her Hair 1884 - 1895

Berthe Morisot sketched this study of a girl plaiting her hair with delicate strokes of pastel. The work appears strikingly modern due to its emphasis on fluidity and form rather than precise details. Observe how Morisot uses subtle color variations to define shape and volume. Light blues and soft browns blend to suggest the contours of the girl’s dress and hair, creating a sense of movement. The visible pastel strokes not only demonstrate the artist’s process but also disrupt traditional notions of finish and completeness. This technique invites the viewer to participate in the act of seeing and interpreting, breaking down the conventional distance between the artwork and its audience. Ultimately, the artwork’s power resides in its ability to destabilize established artistic conventions. Morisot challenges fixed ideas about beauty and representation. This piece remains open to endless re-interpretations.