Swans at Stagnant Water

Swans at Stagnant Water is a drypoint print created by Berthe Morisot in 1889. This refined example of the artist's graphic output, executed on laid paper, demonstrates the spontaneous and immediate qualities Morisot brought to printmaking late in her career. Morisot, a central figure in the French Impressionist movement, utilized the sharp needle of the drypoint technique to incise lines directly into the copper plate. This technique creates a delicate burr which retains ink, resulting in the characteristic soft, velvety lines evident in the representation of the water and the surrounding atmosphere.

Created during the period spanning 1876 to 1900, the work reflects the artist's characteristic preference for intimate, natural scenes drawn from her daily life, contrasting with the grander public subjects explored by some of her male contemporaries. The title itself suggests a moment of tranquil stillness, perhaps captured in a public park or private garden setting. While primarily celebrated for her luminous paintings, this piece affirms Morisot’s mastery over various media, showcasing her ability to translate Impressionist principles of light and atmospheric effects into the demanding medium of print.

The technique employed in this work allows Morisot to render the swans with a suggestive fluidity rather than rigid detail, emphasizing movement and the play of light on the water's surface. As an important example of French art from the end of the century, Swans at Stagnant Water contributes significantly to understanding the expansion of graphic techniques utilized by Impressionists seeking new avenues of expression beyond traditional painting. This exceptional print is held within the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, providing an accessible example of Morisot’s versatility. Today, high-quality prints and reference images of this work are frequently available through various institutional and public domain collections globally.