Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a graphite drawing by the Impressionist artist Berthe Morisot. It dates from 1888 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1888, this untitled drawing by Berthe Morisot is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s collection. Executed with crayon and pencil on paper, the work measures a modest size typical of Morisot’s intimate studies and exemplifies her interest in capturing fleeting gestures.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts a solitary woman dressed in a long, high‑necked gown with a dark belt cinching the waist. She turns her head slightly left, her right elbow bent and left arm hanging straight, while her feet are positioned outward and her weight rests on the right leg, suggesting a moment of poised yet relaxed presence.
Technique & Style
Morist’s application of crayon and pencil yields a delicate tonal range of grays, achieved through subtle cross‑hatching and layered shading. The soft transitions between light and shadow give the figure a three‑dimensional quality while maintaining the immediacy of a sketch.
History & Provenance
The drawing entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings after being acquired from a private collection in the mid‑20th century. Its provenance traces back to Morisot’s own studio, where it likely served as a preparatory study for a larger painted work.
Context
Produced during the later phase of Morisot’s career, the piece reflects her continued exploration of everyday subjects and the private sphere, themes central to her oeuvre within the Impressionist movement.
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.
