“The Butterfly Hunt” is an artwork completed in 1874 by artist Berthe Morisot, an oil on canvas piece that measures 56 x 46 cm. It is representative of the Impressionism movement, a genre painting capturing an everyday scene imbued with light and movement through expressive brushwork and a vibrant palette.
The painting depicts a pastoral scene where a group is engaged in the leisurely pursuit of catching butterflies. The central figure is a woman dressed in a white gown with black accents, holding a butterfly net in one hand as she gazes directly at the viewer, instilling an immediate connection with her presence. Her attire is elegant yet functional, suggesting a combination of refinement and playfulness. She is adorned with a dark hat, which adds a striking contrast to her light dress and the verdant surroundings.
The scene is set in a lush garden with a dappled canopy of trees that filter sunlight onto the figures and the underbrush. The foliage is rendered with loose, vigorous brushstrokes typical of the Impressionist style, creating an impression of spontaneity and the fleeting nature of light and shadow. Behind her, to the right, large flowering trees bloom with pink blossoms, suggesting the season is spring.
To the left, two younger figures are engrossed in the same activity; one of them appears to be a young girl looking down, possibly inspecting a catch or fiddling with her own net, while another walks away into the background, giving depth to the composition. The portrayal of these figures is less detailed, creating a sense of momentary snapshot as they participate in the day’s leisure. The artwork evokes a serene atmosphere and captures a carefree, genteel moment typical of the Impressionist fascination with capturing contemporary life and its fleeting moments.
