The artwork titled “Profile of a seated young woman” was painted by the Impressionist artist Berthe Morisot in 1879. The medium used for this piece is oil on canvas. As a work of Impressionism, the painting is exemplary of the movement’s focus on capturing the effects of light and atmosphere rather than precise details. Originally, the portrait was part of a private collection. The genre of the painting is a portrait, which is a consistent theme in Morisot’s body of work.
In the painting, we see a young woman seated in a relaxed, yet possibly contemplative, pose. Her profile is captured with soft, fluid brushstrokes that are characteristic of the Impressionist style. The young woman’s attire appears to be of light, flowing fabric with floral patterns, and she has a hat adorned with flowers on her head, giving a sense of casual elegance. The background suggests an outdoor setting with structures that are painted with loose brushstrokes, giving an impression rather than a detailed depiction. The overall effect is one of momentary capture, emphasizing the fleeting qualities of light and shadow, which are central to Impressionist art.
