Young Woman at Rest

Young Woman at Rest is an intimate print created by Berthe Morisot (French, 1841-1895) in 1889. The work, executed as a drypoint in black on ivory laid paper, captures the delicate, fleeting quality typical of the Impressionist movement. Although primarily known for her paintings and pastels, Morisot engaged with printmaking late in her career, utilizing the drypoint technique to achieve the soft, feathery lines characteristic of her preferred media. This particular impression, though designed by the artist, was printed by Ernest Rouart (French, 1874-1942), Morisot’s nephew and a dedicated advocate for her artistic legacy.

The subject matter, likely depicting a member of Morisot’s family or intimate circle, shows a young woman captured in a moment of quiet contemplation or repose. Morisot’s mastery is evident in the dynamic, yet economical use of line, which suggests form and texture rather than meticulously defining them, prioritizing atmosphere over detail. These domestically focused scenes were a hallmark of Morisot’s oeuvre, reflecting the everyday life and restricted social sphere available to women artists in 19th-century France.

This important example of French graphic arts resides in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As Morisot’s work is highly influential, high-quality images of master prints from this era are often made available for scholarly use through public domain initiatives.