The Orange Picker 1889

Berthe Morisot rendered this pastel drawing of an orange picker. Observe the laden orange tree, heavy with ripe fruit, a classical symbol of abundance, fertility, and even temptation. This motif echoes through art history. Think of the Hesperides, tending the golden apples in their mythical garden, or Eve offering the apple to Adam, forever changing the course of humanity. In Morisot's image, the young woman embodies a similar act of taking and offering. She is bathed in a gentle light, almost haloed. The gesture of her arm reaching for the fruit recalls images of the Virgin Mary, suggesting an unconscious connection to themes of purity and nurturing. The cyclical nature of these symbols reveals a powerful force engaging viewers on a subconscious level. Like a dream, these motifs resurface, evolving and taking on new meanings, proving that the past is always present.