On the Balcony

On the Balcony by Berthe Morisot French, 1841-1895, is a significant early example of the artist’s masterful contribution to the Impressionism movement in France. Executed between 1871 and 1872, this intimate work is classified as a painting, though it utilizes delicate, water-based media on paper. Morisot employed a complex technique, applying watercolor enhanced by subtle touches of opaque gouache, layered over a preliminary graphite drawing on off-white wove paper. This particular approach underscores the artist's preference for quick, observational sketching, characteristic of her focus on private, domestic scenes and the fleeting nature of modern Parisian life.

As one of the core founders of Impressionism, Morisot specialized in capturing candid moments, often involving female subjects and the light-filled interiors and exteriors of the bourgeoisie. The period of 1871-1872 marks a crucial time for the movement’s maturation in France, focusing heavily on observational studies that aimed to capture immediate visual sensation. The title of On the Balcony suggests a setting looking outward from an enclosed space, a common Impressionist motif designed to explore the relationship between interior and exterior light.

The technique used emphasizes spontaneity; the thin washes of watercolor allow the paper’s inherent luminosity to function as reflected light, mirroring the Impressionist desire to render en plein air effects even in subtle indoor compositions. This fluid handling contrasts with the denser application of gouache used for necessary detailing and emphasis, resulting in a textural immediacy vital to the era. Morisot's choice of media demonstrates her ability to achieve transparency and lightness, hallmarks of the Impressionism period. This piece is housed in the distinguished permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, providing scholars and the public crucial insight into the development of modern French art. Since works by Morisot are now widely available, high-quality prints derived from the original often enter the public domain, ensuring widespread appreciation for this essential work.