Julie Manet Holding a Cat

Julie Manet Holding a Cat is an intimate drypoint created in 1889 through the collaboration of the prominent French artists Berthe Morisot and Auguste Renoir. Executed on laid paper, this exquisite print captures Morisot’s young niece, Julie Manet, in a moment of quiet domesticity, cradling a cat. The drypoint technique, which involves scratching directly into a metal plate with a sharp needle, yields soft, velvety lines resulting from the creation of a delicate burr. This emphasis on subtle line quality and texture aligns the work firmly within the graphic traditions of late Impressionism.

The period from 1876 to 1900 was pivotal for French art, seeing Impressionist principles applied across various media, including the often-overlooked area of fine prints. This piece exemplifies the movement’s preference for informal, unposed scenes of everyday life, especially those focused on feminine and familial subjects. Julie Manet was a frequent and favorite model for both artists, providing Morisot and Renoir with natural access to scenes of childhood and innocence. Renoir, widely known for his tender handling of portraiture, likely contributed significantly to the compositional structure, while Morisot’s refined sensibility regarding light and the fleeting moment defines the overall aesthetic.

As a significant example of their collaborative effort, this artwork showcases the technical mastery achievable in 19th-century prints. The subtle tonal range and atmospheric handling make this a key work within the history of Impressionist graphic arts. This drypoint print resides in the extensive collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. The enduring popularity and high quality of such works mean that many institutions strive to make images of these masterpieces available through the public domain.