The artwork “In the Garden” by Berthe Morisot dates from approximately 1885. It is executed in oil on canvas and demonstrates the characteristics of the Impressionist movement to which Morisot was contributory. The genre painting measures 54 x 65 cm and is currently housed within a private collection. Morisot’s work often depicted domestic life and the private spheres within which women of her time were typically confined.
Delicately rendered, “In the Garden” depicts two figures, likely a woman and a child, sitting together amidst a lush garden setting. The woman appears to be engaged in needlework, a common and socially accepted pastime for women during this period. The child, perhaps lost in thought or observation, gazes away from the viewer. The painting is imbued with the transient effects of light and color typical of Impressionism. Morisot’s loose brushstrokes imbue the scene with a sense of immediacy and intimacy, capturing a fleeting moment in the everyday lives of her subjects. The surrounding vegetation serves as both a backdrop and an integral part of the composition, enclosing the figures within the verdant environment and highlighting the harmony between the domestic space and the natural world. Overall, the artwork reflects the Impressionist concern with the interplay of natural light, color, and the momentary experience of life.
