The Artist's Daughter with a Parakeet by Berthe Morisot is an intimate oil on canvas completed in 1890. This significant work belongs to the period of late 19th-century French painting, specifically placing it within the transitional years of 1876 to 1900. Morisot, a foundational figure in the Impressionist movement, often focused her artistic attention on domestic scenes, capturing the private lives of women and children with remarkable immediacy and emotional depth.
The central subject of the painting is the artist's only child, Julie Manet, who frequently served as a model for Morisot throughout her life. Julie is depicted holding a small, brightly colored parakeet, emphasizing a moment of quiet connection between the girl and her pet. This focus on domestic serenity and the relationship between mother and child characterizes much of Morisot’s mature work. The artist’s signature technique employs quick, light-filled brushstrokes and a highly keyed palette, characteristic of the Impressionist style she helped pioneer. The handling of the paint lends a sense of spontaneity and life, suggesting that the canvas captures a fleeting moment rather than a static pose.
As a leading female figure in the French avant-garde, Morisot consistently explored the complexities of modern bourgeois life through portraiture. The execution of this piece reflects the softening forms and masterful use of light that defined painting during the final quarter of the century. Although created toward the end of her life, the work demonstrates the enduring warmth and structural clarity Morisot brought to her compositions. This oil on canvas is held within the collection of the National Gallery of Art, providing a pivotal example of Impressionist portraiture in North America. Like many historical works, high-quality archival prints derived from the original source materials are often made available to the public, particularly as the piece nears its centennial and enters the public domain for reference and study.
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