Nude

The work titled Nude was executed by the renowned French Impressionist Berthe Morisot in 1889. This intimate study, classified as a print, utilizes the challenging drypoint technique on laid paper. Drypoint, known for the velvety burr created by scratching directly into the copper plate, allows the artist to achieve uniquely soft, atmospheric lines that contrast with the sharp clarity of etching. Morisot employed this method to capture the fleeting posture and delicate contours of the subject with immediacy and grace.

While primarily known for her paintings, Morisot experimented actively with etching and drypoint late in her career. She often turned to subjects associated with private, domestic life, providing a distinct female perspective that differed significantly from the academic nudes displayed in the official Salon exhibitions of the time. Produced late in the period spanning 1876 to 1900, this piece reflects core Impressionist sensibilities through its rapid, sketch-like execution and an emphasis on suggestion rather than classical, detailed precision. The lines used by Morisot are loose and expressive, prioritizing the visual impression of light and form over detailed anatomical modeling.

As a pivotal figure in French culture during the late nineteenth century, Morisot consistently explored the boundaries between drawing and finished composition. This type of graphic work, where preparatory sketches transition into finished prints, highlights the versatility and experimental nature of her practice. Examples of Morisot's drypoint prints, valued for their rarity and insight into her working process, are held in major institutions globally. This particular impression of Nude is preserved in the extensive collection of the National Gallery of Art, forming an important link within her body of work. The original image has since entered the public domain, allowing broader scholarly and public access to the influential prints created by this foundational Impressionist master.