Studying the Violin 1893

Berthe Morisot painted this oil on canvas, Studying the Violin, in France, sometime during the late 19th century. It depicts a young woman in a domestic interior, diligently practicing her violin. In this period, art institutions and the upper middle class had strict ideas about gender roles. Music and art were considered appropriate activities for young women, since they signified refinement and domestic accomplishment. However, professional achievement was discouraged. Morisot, who was a professional artist, often painted domestic scenes, but with a subtle challenge to the established norms of her time. Here, the woman is portrayed as serious and engaged, her brow furrowed in concentration. The painting thus elevates the activity beyond mere pastime. It also subtly challenges the male-dominated art world by showing that women were capable of intellectual and creative work. By consulting historical records, letters, and critical reviews, we can better appreciate the subtle ways in which Morisot's art reflects and comments on the social structures of her time.