Woman with a Child in a Boat 1892

Berthe Morisot painted “Woman with a Child in a Boat” using oil on canvas, sometime in the late 19th century. Morisot was one of the few female Impressionist painters. Morisot often depicted domestic scenes of women and children. Unlike her male counterparts, access to public spaces was not always available to her. As such, she focuses on intimate, private moments, offering a unique perspective on bourgeois life in France. This painting captures a quiet moment between a mother and child on a boat. The loose brushstrokes and soft colors create a sense of tranquility and intimacy. The child's gaze is directed outward, perhaps contemplating the world beyond the boat, while the mother seems to be looking after the child. Morisot was once quoted, reflecting on the depiction of female subjects, "I don't think there has ever been a man who treated a woman as an equal, and that's all I would have asked for, for I know I'm worth as much as they are." The painting reflects the societal constraints placed on women during this period, while also celebrating the emotional bond between mother and child.