Berthe Morisot in Silhouette

Berthe Morisot in Silhouette by Édouard Manet French, 1832-1883, is an intimate lithograph dating from 1872-1874. This exceptional print captures the artist Berthe Morisot, who was Manet’s sister-in-law, muse, and fellow pioneer of the Impressionist movement. The technique employed is a refined chine collé: the central image is printed in black ink on delicate, thin ivory chine paper, which is subsequently laid down and adhered to a heavier ivory wove paper backing. This layering method allows the printmaker to achieve finer detail and a rich black tone that contrasts beautifully with the warm backing support.

Manet frequently portrayed Morisot during this crucial period of artistic development in 1870s France, but this rendition stands out for its abstracted simplicity. By rendering his subject purely in a stark, yet subtly detailed, silhouette, Manet minimizes surface detail, emphasizing the definitive curve of her profile and the mass of her hair. This highly controlled approach contrasts sharply with the quick, broken brushwork characteristic of Impressionist painting, demonstrating Manet's technical mastery across multiple media.

The subtle tonal variations achieved through the lithographic process lend an unexpected softness to the stark profile. The work is not merely a portrait but an exploration of light and shadow achieved through the manipulation of black ink. This important example of Manet's printmaking practice, cataloged as a foundational piece of 19th-century French art, is preserved in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As a historical work, high-quality images of this piece are often made available for study and reproduction through the public domain.