“By the Water” is an artwork by Berthe Morisot, created in 1879 using watercolor as the medium. It is associated with the Impressionism movement and falls under the genre painting category. The piece finds its home in a private collection.
The artwork displays a serene outdoor setting with two figures positioned near what appears to be a body of water, though the water itself is not directly visible in the painting. The figure on the left is a woman seated in a blue dress, looking elegant and contemplative, with her gaze directed away from the viewer. She wears a hat and seems to be holding something in her hands, perhaps a small book or a handkerchief. Her posture and the flow of the dress suggest a relaxed yet refined moment. The figure on the right appears to be a man seated on the ground, dressed in light, summer clothing. He is turned slightly towards the woman, creating a sense of interaction between the two figures. His gaze is obscured, and the relaxed positioning of his arms and legs also contributes to the leisurely mood of the scene.
The color palette is light and airy, with gentle brushstrokes typical of the Impressionist style, capturing the essence and atmosphere of a moment rather than its detailed reality. The vegetation in the background suggests they may be in a garden or a lush, green meadow, adding to the ambience of tranquility. The artist’s use of watercolor allows for a fluidity and immediacy in the artwork that is characteristic of Impressionistic genre scenes, aiming to convey the perception of a fleeting moment in everyday life.
