Swan and Duck, with Portraits of Julie

**Swan and Duck, with Portraits of Julie by Berthe Morisot is an intimate drypoint print created in 1889. This particular work exemplifies the artist's dedication to printmaking during her late career, focusing on delicate lines and soft tonal variations achieved on wove paper.

Morisot frequently used her immediate family and domestic surroundings as subjects, capturing quiet moments of daily life characteristic of her Impressionist approach. The print subtly integrates the presence of her daughter, Julie Manet, alongside the titular animals. Unlike the expansive oil canvases for which she is best known, this smaller format allowed Morisot to experiment with line economy and texture. The drypoint process, which involves scratching directly into the plate, creates a rich burr that results in the distinctive, velvety lines visible throughout the composition, particularly evident in the depiction of the water and animal forms.

Although primarily recognized for her painting, Morisot produced a limited but significant body of prints, offering a nuanced perspective on her visual language and her focus on intimate portraiture and animal studies. This specific impression of Swan and Duck, with Portraits of Julie is housed in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Given the historical significance of the image, the work often features in educational resources and high-quality prints derived from this public domain artwork allow widespread appreciation of Morisot’s mastery in this specialized medium.