Artwork
Landscape
Landscape is an unspecified painting by the Impressionist artist Berthe Morisot. It dates from 1878 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1878, this work titled Landscape is attributed to French painter Berthe Morisot. The piece is part of the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. It presents a brief, impressionistic view of countryside scenery, rendered in a format that suggests a preliminary study rather than a polished final composition.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts gently undulating hills punctuated by a narrow winding path that leads the eye through the middle ground. Soft, muted tones of yellow, blue and green evoke a tranquil rural atmosphere, while the absence of detailed figures keeps the focus on the landscape’s fleeting visual impression.
Technique & Style
Morist’s handling of the surface is loose and gestural; brushstrokes remain visible and unblended, giving the impression of a rapid sketch. The palette is restrained, with pastel hues that merge at the edges, allowing forms to dissolve into the paper. This approach aligns with the artist’s broader interest in capturing momentary light and atmosphere.
History & Provenance
The painting entered the National Gallery of Art’s holdings through acquisition, though the precise path from Morist’s studio to the museum is not extensively documented. Its dating to the late 1870s places it among Morist’s works produced after her involvement with the Impressionist circle in Paris.
Context
Executed during a period when Morist was exploring outdoor subjects, the piece reflects the broader 19th‑century shift toward plein‑air painting. Though modest in scale, it demonstrates her engagement with the same visual concerns as her contemporaries, emphasizing immediacy of perception over detailed narrative.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Berthe Marie Pauline Morisot (French: ; 14 January 1841 – 2 March 1895) was a French painter, printmaker and a member of the circle of painters in Paris who became known as the Impressionists.
