By the Water 1879

Curator: Here we have Berthe Morisot's "By the Water," a watercolor piece completed in 1879. It currently resides in a private collection. Editor: It's such a gentle scene, isn't it? Almost faded, like a half-remembered afternoon dream. I find the dappled light on the figures incredibly soothing, a balm for the soul, really. Curator: It's interesting that you pick up on that sense of tranquility. Morisot often depicted scenes of bourgeois leisure, reflecting the changing social landscape and the increased opportunities for women in artistic fields. Editor: The lady in blue seems almost swallowed up by her dress! It's as if the clothes have taken on a life of their own. The textures in her skirts feels a bit more lively, perhaps, than her gaze, that seems pensive. Curator: Precisely. Her attire signifies a certain class status, but also reveals insights on Morisot's portrayal of femininity within those constricting social frameworks. It reveals not only status, but subtle signs of agency. Editor: And what about the gentleman beside her? He feels less defined, almost melting into the background. Do you suppose that was intentional? Is she suggesting something about the shifting power dynamics of their time? Curator: Perhaps, but it also underscores her technical interest in the effect of light, the man’s contours lost in the brilliance of the background, while she gains full exposure to the brush and light, sitting to our left. The very act of painting itself offered a different perspective on those very power dynamics, I think. Editor: Absolutely. A quiet rebellion, painted with watercolors. It is amazing to contemplate all the cultural change that were percolating at the time. Thanks for sharing this little oasis of calm, it is definitely food for the mind! Curator: My pleasure. I think Morisot offers us a subtle reminder of how societal evolution manifests even in the most intimate of everyday moments. It shows how cultural evolution works: the gentle changes on small shifts on a painting in front of us.