“The Cheval Glass” is an oil painting on canvas by the distinguished artist Berthe Morisot, created in the year 1876. Exhibiting the distinct brushwork and color palette characteristic of the Impressionism movement, the artwork measures 65 by 54 centimeters and falls within the genre painting category. As of the present, it resides in a private collection, thereby limiting public viewing opportunities.
The artwork illustrates a young woman examining her reflection in a full-length mirror known as a cheval glass. The artist employs a vibrant interplay of light and shadow to imbue a sense of immediacy and intimacy. Morisot’s focus on domestic life and her nuanced portrayal of the woman’s thoughtful, perhaps evaluative posture, reveal a candid moment of personal reflection. The room is bathed in natural light, highlighting the soft textures of the furnishings and the rich, red hue of the carpet, which serves as a warm contrast to the otherwise muted tones. Morisot’s technique, with its loose brushstrokes, captures the fleeting quality of light and accentuates the ephemeral nature of the moment being observed. The impression of spontaneity, a hallmark of the Impressionist style, is evident here, inviting the viewer to contemplate not just the subject, but the act of perception itself.
