Artwork
Bois de Boulogne
Bois de Boulogne is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Berthe Morisot. It is held in the collection of the Musée Marmottan Monet.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1897, this oil on canvas by Berthe Morisot is part of the collection at the Musée Marmottan Monet. The work presents an outdoor scene rendered in the light‑filled manner typical of late 19th‑century French Impressionism, emphasizing atmosphere over precise detail.
Subject & Meaning
At the centre stands a woman dressed in a dark, floor‑length gown and a wide hat, accompanied by a small terrier‑type dog positioned to her left. Behind them, a cluster of trees and indistinct figures suggest a public park setting, evoking a moment of quiet leisure within an urban green space.
Technique & Style
Morisot employs a palette of muted greens and soft earth tones, allowing light to filter through the foliage and illuminate the figure. The brushwork is loose and gestural, creating a sense of movement and immediacy while still maintaining enough definition to convey depth and spatial relationships.
History & Provenance
The painting entered the Musée Marmottan Monet's holdings after changing hands in the early 20th century, joining a collection noted for its emphasis on Impressionist works. Its attribution to Morisot has been consistently documented since its acquisition, confirming its place within her mature period.
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.
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