“Young Girls at the Window” is an oil on canvas painting created by French artist Berthe Morisot in 1892. Measuring 49 by 65 centimeters, this work is a quintessential example of the Impressionist movement to which Morisot was a vital contributor. The painting falls under the genre painting category, capturing everyday life scenes. The artwork is currently housed at the Daniel Malingue Gallery in Paris, France.
The artwork depicts two young girls standing by a window, seemingly in a contemplative state, with a verdant garden as a backdrop. Morisot’s use of light and color creates a luminous effect, characteristic of the Impressionist style. The brushwork is loose and spontaneous, capturing the ephemeral moment with a sense of immediacy and intimacy that was novel at the time.
The girl to the right stands slightly in front, appearing pensive as she gazes directly ahead with her hands clasped together. She is wearing a white dress with a dark blue sash, and her hair loosely frames her face. The other girl, to the left, is seen in profile, looking down with a subdued expression. She wears a greenish-blue apron over her dress, and her posture suggests a moment of quiet reflection.
Their surroundings are painted with swift brushstrokes; the greenery outside the window is fashioned into an almost abstract composition of colors and shapes, offering a contrast to the more defined figures of the girls.
This scene is a vivid portrayal of private life, showing Morisot’s sensitivity towards the inner world of her subjects, especially women and children. The painting, while seeming simple in its composition, reveals a depth of emotional resonance, a hallmark of Morisot’s artistic legacy.
