The artwork titled “Portrait of Marguerite Carre,” also known as “Young Girl in a Ball Gown,” was painted by impressionist artist Berthe Morisot in 1873. The medium used is oil on canvas, and it belongs to the Impressionist movement. This particular portrait falls within the genre of portraiture and is currently held in a private collection.
The artwork captures a young woman, presumably Marguerite Carre, adorned in a luxurious ball gown. The brushstrokes appear swift and spontaneous, a hallmark of the Impressionist style, which seeks to convey the essence of the subject rather than meticulous detail. The palette consists of soft whites and greys, punctuated by floral motifs on the gown and an accessory in her hair that suggests a sense of elegance and refinement. She is holding a fan, which adds to the sophistication of her ensemble, and her poised demeanor suggests a composed yet engaging presence. The background is subdued and abstracted, allowing the viewer’s attention to remain focused on the subject. The portrayal of light and shadow on her dress exemplifies the Impressionist preoccupation with capturing the effects of light in a moment in time. Overall, the artwork radiates the kind of immediacy and intimacy that Morisot and her contemporaries strived to achieve through their innovative techniques and approach to composition.
