“The Cage,” a work of art by Berthe Morisot created in 1885, exemplifies the impressionistic style through its medium of oil on canvas. The artwork measures 38 by 55 cm and represents the still life genre. Morisot’s use of expressive brushwork and a limited color palette captures the nuance of fleeting light and momentary impression, which are key characteristics of the Impressionism movement.
The artwork portrays a birdcage prominently placed in the foreground with one or possibly two small birds inside, rendered with loose yet deliberate strokes. The cage is open, suggesting a narrative of freedom or the lack thereof. Behind the cage, there appears to be floral elements, which might be either a painted background or actual flowers obscured by Morisot’s spontaneous technique. The background shifts with varied brushstrokes, giving an impression of depth and lively texture which contrast with the relatively static subject of the cage.
