Duck and Reeds

Duck and Reeds is a delicate print created by the renowned Impressionist Berthe Morisot in 1889. Executed using the challenging drypoint technique on wove paper, this work showcases Morisot’s experimental approach and skill beyond the oil paint and pastels for which she is most famous. Drypoint involves scratching the image directly onto a copper plate, generating soft, velvety lines from the displaced metal burr. Morisot’s application of this technique emphasizes a sketch-like immediacy and atmospheric quality, characteristic of her commitment to capturing the fleeting moments of modern life.

The subject captures a quiet, intimate moment of nature observation, typical of the scenes Morisot frequently explored in her late career. The composition focuses on a pair of ducks nestled amongst tall, vertical reeds, suggesting a naturalistic setting near a body of water. The swift, spontaneous lines inherent in the drypoint medium effectively convey the texture of the feathers and the delicate interplay of light and shadow in the marshy environment. Morisot often focused on private, domestic moments, and this print reflects that preference, offering a quick, suggestive glimpse of wildlife rather than a highly finished natural vista.

Although Morisot’s prints were rarely exhibited during her lifetime, they represent a vital body of her experimental work, showing her engagement with different media during the late 1880s. This particular impression is held within the esteemed collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. As a significant example of 19th-century French prints, this work exemplifies the period’s shift toward more personal and expressive forms of graphic art. Today, high-quality images of this work often enter the public domain, ensuring widespread accessibility for scholars and enthusiasts studying Morisot’s complete oeuvre.