The artwork entitled “On the Balcony of Eugene Manet’s Room at Bougival” was created by the artist Berthe Morisot in 1881. This piece is an oil painting on canvas, exemplifying the Impressionist style of the period. As a genre painting, it represents a scene from everyday life, captured with the movement’s characteristic brushwork and attention to light. The artwork is currently held in a private collection.
The artwork portrays two figures, situated on a balcony surrounded by lush foliage. A woman is seated on a chair, her attire rendered in loose brushstrokes that suggest the lightness and fluidity of the fabric. She appears to be engaged in some delicate task, possibly sewing, as her hands are occupied near her lap and a cascade of fabric spills over her knees. A child stands adjacent to her, facing the balcony railing, with their back to the viewer. The child’s pose and attire are delineated with expressive, yet swift brushwork, complementing the spontaneity of the moment.
The background offers hints of a garden or park beyond the balcony, with another figure discernible in the distance, contributing to a sense of depth and context within the scene. The railing of the balcony, embellished with floral patterns, demarcates the domestic space from the natural environment seamlessly blending the two.
Morisot’s masterful use of color and light captures the transient effects of sunlight filtering through the leaves, imbuing the scene with a sense of warmth and vibrancy. The deftly applied impasto adds texture and a sense of immediacy to the work, allowing the viewer to sense the atmosphere of a fleeting, carefree moment. Overall, the artwork embodies the Impressionist fascination with capturing the ephemeral quality of light and the essence of modern life.
