“The Hairdresser” is an exquisite artwork by Berthe Morisot, an influential figure in the Impressionism art movement. Completed in 1894, the artwork is an oil painting on canvas that exemplifies the genre painting category. The piece captures a seemingly everyday scene with the delicate touch and light brushwork characteristic of Impressionism.
The artwork displays two figures, one seated and the other standing behind her. The seated woman, dressed in a white garment that drapes loosely over her shoulders, is being attended to by the standing woman who appears to be styling her hair. The artist captures this intimate moment with a palette that tends towards soft, warm hues. Both the figures are engaged in their task with a sense of calm concentration, reflecting the casual yet meaningful moments of daily life that genre paintings often celebrate.
Behind the figures, one can observe a framed picture on the wall, adding depth to the composition and perhaps providing a window into Morisot’s broader artistic milieu or personal reflections. Moreover, a circular object, likely a mirror, hangs adjacent to the framed picture, enriching the spatial dynamics of the scene. Morisot’s use of rapid, loose brushstrokes imbues the artwork with a vibrant, dynamic quality, effectively capturing the transient effects of light and color that are hallmarks of the Impressionist style.
