Artwork
White Flowers in a Bowl
White Flowers in a Bowl is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Berthe Morisot. It dates from 1893 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.
About this work
Overview
White Flowers in a Bowl, an 1893 oil painting by Berthe Morisot, is part of the collection at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. The work depicts a still life with white flowers arranged in a bowl against a blue backdrop.
Subject & Meaning
The painting's subject is a loosely arranged bouquet of white flowers, some of which overflow the containing bowl. This composition conveys a sense of gentle, natural abundance.
Technique & Style
Visible, expressive brushstrokes impart a dynamic quality, while muted color tones—particularly the contrast between white flowers and a blue background—foster an atmosphere of calmness.
History & Provenance
Created in 1893, the painting is currently held in the permanent collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
Context
As a late 19th-century work by a prominent female Impressionist, White Flowers in a Bowl reflects Morisot's characteristic attention to domestic, intimate scenes.
Legacy
The painting represents Morisot's contribution to Impressionist still-life traditions, emphasizing spontaneity and emotional resonance over formal perfection.
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.
