The Drawing Lesson (Berthe Morisot and her Daughter)

The Drawing Lesson (Berthe Morisot and her Daughter) is a delicate print created by the esteemed French Impressionist Berthe Morisot in 1889. Classified as a fine art print, this intimate work utilizes the demanding drypoint technique on laid paper, a medium Morisot explored with particular focus during the final decade of her career. The drypoint technique, characterized by the scratching of lines directly onto a copper plate, allows for the creation of a slight burr which yields soft, feathered, velvety edges often visible in Morisot's graphic output.

The piece captures an immediate and tender domestic scene typical of the period 1876 to 1900. Morisot consistently focused her gaze on the private lives of women and children within the home, making her daughter, Julie Manet, a frequent and central model. Here, Morisot documents the act of instruction and concentration, rendering the figures with characteristic immediacy and lightness. The artist translates the atmospheric quality and spontaneity of her Impressionist oil paintings into the precise yet fluid lines required for successful drypoint prints.

Morisot’s exploration of the interior space offered a fresh perspective within the French avant-garde, focusing on psychological depth and the fleeting moments of modern motherhood. The drypoint exemplifies the artist’s mastery of line and tone, suggesting atmosphere and volume through minimal means. Though she primarily exhibited her paintings, her prints offer critical insight into the private sphere that defined much of her career as a leading Impressionist. This work is meticulously preserved in the prestigious collection of the National Gallery of Art. Due to the era of its creation, high-quality images and related prints are often made available through public domain initiatives, ensuring widespread access to Morisot's vital contribution to modern art.