The artwork entitled “Portrait of a Young Girl” was created by the artist Berthe Morisot between 1870 and 1880. This oil on canvas painting is an example of the Impressionism movement and falls into the genre of portraiture. Currently, it resides within a private collection.
The artwork presents a delicate rendering of a young girl, showcasing Morisot’s masterful use of light and color distinctive of the Impressionist style. The subject is depicted with gentle, loose brushstrokes, conveying a sense of immediacy and movement that breathes life into the canvas. Her eyes gaze softly off to the side, engaging in a moment outside the confines of the frame. The warm tones of her hair and the subtle hues on her face reflect the fleeting effects of light that Impressionists sought to capture. Morisot’s skillful handling of the oil medium brings about a softness and a vibrancy to the young girl’s features, effectively capturing not just the girl’s appearance, but also a sense of her presence and personality. The background is rendered in loose, abstract strokes, complimenting the figure without distracting from her, which allows the viewer’s focus to remain on the intimacy and immediacy of the young girl’s likeness.