The artwork “Mme Boursier and Her Daughter” is an oil on canvas painting by Berthe Morisot, completed in 1873. Characteristic of the Impressionist art movement, it features soft brush strokes and a candid portrayal of the subjects. The piece measures 56.5 by 73 centimeters and falls into the genre of portraiture. Currently housed at the Brooklyn Museum in New York City, NY, US, this painting exemplifies Morisot’s contribution to Impressionist portraiture.
In the artwork, two figures are centrally positioned against an interior background. To the left stands a woman likely of upper-middle-class status, as suggested by her sophisticated attire. She wears a dark dress with a velvety texture, adorned with a white floral corsage at her chest, and her outfit is complemented by a fashionable hat decorated with feathers. Her expression appears contemplative and direct, gazing toward the viewer with a poise that speaks to the era’s ideals of womanhood. Seated to her right is a young girl, possibly her daughter, dressed in a blue garment with a patterned collar, looking forward with an innocent and slightly inquisitive demeanor. Her hair is styled with a red bow, adding a pop of color to the scene. The background shows a hint of domestic life, with a wall featuring what appears to be a painting or framed image and everyday objects on a sideboard, rendered with loose and vibrant brushstrokes that capture the essence of Impressionism’s interest in light and atmosphere.
