At the Edge of the Forest (Edma and Jeanne) by Berthe Morisot is an intimate and expressive drawing executed between 1871 and 1873. This work utilizes watercolor and graphite on paper, showcasing the artist’s characteristic spontaneity and lightness of touch. Classified as a drawing, the piece captures the private world Morisot frequently documented, centering on her sister Edma Pontillon and niece Jeanne. The artwork belongs to the pivotal period of 1851 to 1875, marking the rapid evolution of French art as it transitioned from traditional academic styles toward Impressionism.
Morisot frequently depicted domestic scenes and informal portraits of family members, allowing her to explore technical innovations in a relaxed setting. In this scene, she captures Edma and Jeanne near a wooded environment, using the swift application of graphite to establish form and line, complemented by delicate washes of watercolor to suggest color and atmosphere. The technique exemplifies the quick, observational approach that Morisot mastered, prioritizing the momentary effects of light filtering through the trees over precise detail. The drawing offers valuable insight into the preparation and studies that often informed her larger oil paintings.
As one of the foundational figures of the Impressionist movement, Morisot’s drawings provide crucial documentation of her method and her contribution to modern art. The spontaneous nature of this drawing highlights the experimental spirit of At the Edge of the Forest (Edma and Jeanne) and the rapid changes occurring among French artists during the 1870s. This remarkable work resides in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., serving as a primary example of the artist's draftsmanship during the height of the Impressionist era. Works created during this prolific period of 1851 to 1875 are widely studied, and high-quality prints reflecting this aesthetic are frequently sought after by museums and collectors utilizing public domain resources.
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