The Lake in the Bois de Boulogne

"The Lake in the Bois de Boulogne," created in 1889 by Berthe Morisot (French, 1841-1895), is an exquisite example of the artist's brief yet impactful foray into printmaking late in her career. This work is classified as a print, meticulously executed using the drypoint technique in black on cream laid paper. Drypoint, known for its ability to produce rich, velvety lines due to the burr raised when the needle scratches the plate, allowed Morisot a spontaneity and textural variation often associated with her luminous Impressionist paintings.

The subject captures a typical scene from the popular Parisian park, the Bois de Boulogne, a location central to the leisure life of late 19th-century France. Though Morisot is best known for her intimate domestic scenes of women and children, this piece demonstrates her engagement with the subtle interplay of light, atmosphere, and public spaces. Morisot's characteristic loose, energetic draftsmanship translates effectively into the etching medium. The work retains the immediacy and focus on transient sensory experience central to the French Impressionist movement.

During this period, Morisot deepened her study of printmaking, producing around a dozen known prints, making works like this highly valued additions to collections worldwide. This particular impression of The Lake in the Bois de Boulogne is held in the renowned collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As a significant example of Morisot's graphic output, this print provides valuable insight into the techniques utilized by major female Impressionists. Today, many valuable prints and essential works by Morisot are widely accessible for study and viewing, often found in the public domain or within prestigious institutional collections.