Study for "Young Girl in a Green Coat"

Study for "Young Girl in a Green Coat" by Berthe Morisot, created in 1894, is a highly refined preparatory drawing illustrating the artist’s mastery of line and delicate observation in the final years of her career. Executed in pencil on polished buff laid paper, this drawing demonstrates the rapid, yet focused technique Morisot employed in translating fleeting impressions into solid compositions. As a central figure of the French Impressionist movement, Morisot favored domestic subjects and was particularly known for her intimate depictions of women and girls, capturing the quietude and introspection of private life.

The composition centers on the solitary figure, sketching the young girl’s posture, mass, and the tilt of her head before committing the subject to oil. The use of pencil allows Morisot to render tonal changes and drapery folds with subtle, light pressure, characteristic of her expressive and airy style. This particular medium choice highlights the preparatory nature of the work, emphasizing movement and attitude over rigid detail.

This work serves as a vital component in understanding Morisot’s process as she formulated her iconic oil painting, also titled Young Girl in a Green Coat. The drawing encapsulates the artist’s continued focus on childhood and the nuances of femininity, recurring themes throughout her influential oeuvre.

The drawing is classified as a key piece of graphic art within the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection, demonstrating the ongoing importance of draftsmanship within the Impressionist circle. Due to the historical significance of this piece, high-quality prints and reproductions of the work are increasingly accessible through public domain archives, ensuring that Morisot’s distinctive contribution to Impressionism remains widely studied.