Self-Portrait with Julie Manet, known as ‘The Drawing Lesson’

Self-Portrait with Julie Manet, known as ‘The Drawing Lesson’ is a captivating print by the acclaimed French Impressionist Berthe Morisot. Executed on paper, this work captures a deeply personal moment between the artist and her daughter, Julie Manet, who served as a central model throughout Morisot’s career. Classified specifically as a print, likely an etching or drypoint, the technique allowed Morisot to translate the rapid, sketch-like qualities of her drawings into an editioned format. The composition focuses on the intense concentration of the two figures, documenting the transmission of artistic knowledge and the quiet intimacy shared between mother and child. This depiction of domestic education and interior life was characteristic of Morisot’s thematic focus, offering a vital counterpoint to the large-scale public subjects favored by many of her male peers.

As a foundational figure of Impressionism, Morisot was renowned for her mastery of light and atmosphere. Even in the monochromatic style of this piece, Morisot’s quick, suggestive lines imply form and movement, aligning the print aesthetically with her famed oil paintings. Dating from the period 1888-1930, the work reflects the culmination of the artist’s mature career. Prints such as this provide accessible documentation of her private world and her dedication to capturing the nuances of femininity and motherhood. The piece is held in the permanent collection of the Rijksmuseum, contributing significantly to the understanding of late 19th-century French art. Because significant portions of the artist's oeuvre are now in the public domain, works like this continue to influence new generations of artists and historians globally.