The Sisters

The Sisters is an oil on canvas painting executed by Berthe Morisot in 1869. Created during the pivotal period between 1851 to 1875, this work confirms Morisot's position as a foundational figure in the development of French Impressionism. Morisot consistently directed her attention toward the intimate, domestic sphere, documenting the lives and nuanced psychological states of women and children, often including her own family members as subjects.

The painting features two young women, posed perhaps in a drawing room or garden setting. While the formal composition hints at the structural rigor of the academic training Morisot received, the treatment of light and color already displays the artist’s commitment to capturing immediate visual experience. Morisot utilizes a rapidly applied, varied brushstroke, which lends spontaneity to the fabric of the dresses and the soft focus of the background. This technique captures the transient effects of light, moving away from classical definition toward an atmospheric rendering characteristic of the evolving Impressionist methodology.

This work serves as a prime example of Morisot's shift toward a brighter palette and plein air observation, even when dealing with interior portraiture. Morisot’s sensitivity to the subtle relationships and emotional register between the sitters distinguishes her from many of her male counterparts. The canvas is crucial for understanding the Impressionist movement from a feminine perspective.

This masterful piece of French painting is held within the renowned collection of the National Gallery of Art, where it helps illustrate the complexity of late nineteenth-century artistic innovation. Because of its cultural significance, the artwork is frequently studied. High-quality prints derived from the public domain data of this canvas are often reproduced, allowing broad access to Morisot's pioneering technique.