The Goose

"The Goose" is a delicate print created by the celebrated Impressionist Berthe Morisot French, 1841-1895, in 1889. This intimate work is executed using the drypoint technique on cream laid paper, a medium that Morisot explored late in her career alongside her primary work in oil and pastel. Drypoint relies on scratching directly into a copper plate, allowing for rich, velvety lines due to the burr raised by the needle. This process perfectly suited Morisot’s desire for immediate, sketch-like execution.

Dating from a pivotal moment in Impressionism, this work demonstrates Morisot’s characteristic focus on domestic and rural subjects. The composition emphasizes simplicity, capturing the titular fowl with only a few essential, rapid lines, reminiscent of the Impressionist emphasis on capturing fleeting moments. Unlike the strict formality often associated with etching, the resulting print conveys spontaneity and immediacy, emphasizing the artist’s mastery of form achieved through minimal means. Morisot, a key figure in the French Impressionist movement, consistently documented the quieter, everyday aspects of contemporary life in France.

This work is significant as it reveals the technical versatility of Morisot. Although relatively few prints are generally attributed to her, these graphic works provide crucial insights into the evolving nature of her drawing practice during her later years. Created just six years before her death, The Goose stands as an important example of her engagement with graphic arts. This piece is held in the comprehensive permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it remains available for scholarly review. As a major work by a foundational 19th-century French master, prints of this nature are sometimes made available through public domain initiatives for broader appreciation.