Young Woman and Child 1894

Berthe Morisot created this painting, “Young Woman and Child,” using oil on canvas with loose brushwork and a light palette. Morisot was among a coterie of female Impressionists, including Mary Cassatt, who gained access to the art world through family connections. Look closely, and you'll notice how Morisot used the material qualities of oil paint to their fullest. Its fluidity allowed her to blend colors seamlessly, capturing the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere. Note the thinness of the paint application, almost like watercolor, especially in the background. This technique allowed Morisot to create a sense of immediacy and spontaneity, as if the scene were captured in a single breath. Morisot’s approach, although celebrated now, was seen as “feminine” at the time - a backhanded compliment that implied a lack of seriousness. But consider the amount of skilled work involved in creating this sense of effortless grace. By focusing on process and materials, we can better appreciate the social context that shaped its creation.