Girl Plaiting her Hair (La Natte) by Berthe Morisot French, 1841-1895, is an intimate study created between 1884 and 1895. Classified as a drawing, this piece utilizes pastel applied directly onto cream laid paper, a medium Morisot increasingly favored late in her career for its inherent luminosity and ability to capture spontaneous gestures. Morisot was a central figure in the Impressionist movement in France, known primarily for focusing her gaze on the bourgeois domestic sphere, often depicting women and children in private, contemplative settings. The late date of this work places it among her mature output, showcasing the characteristic fluid lines and delicate handling of light that defined her innovative style.
The subject matter is typical of Morisot's exploration of modern femininity, portraying a figure absorbed in the quiet, mundane task of arranging her own hairstyle. The loose application of pastel grants the viewer an ephemeral glimpse, prioritizing atmosphere and emotion over academic exactitude. Morisot's mastery of the medium allows her to render texture and reflected light with great sensitivity; the warmth of the cream paper beneath the chalk contributes significantly to the overall softness of the study. This drawing is housed in the distinguished collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it serves as a key example of female Impressionist draughtsmanship. As this work transitions into the public domain, institutions make high-quality prints and reproductions available, ensuring that Morisot’s influential vision remains accessible worldwide.
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