Artwork
Young Woman
Young Woman is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Berthe Morisot. It dates from 1871 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
About this work
Overview
Berthe Morisot’s 1871 oil on canvas, titled Young Woman, portrays a solitary female figure seated against a muted backdrop. The work measures a modest scale and is part of the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, where it is displayed among other 19th‑century French paintings.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter, a young woman with dark hair, wears a white dress patterned with delicate blue blossoms. She holds a fan in her right hand, her gaze turned slightly to the right, and her expression remains neutral, inviting contemplation of her inner calm and the quiet poise of everyday life.
Technique & Style
Morisot employs a restrained palette, allowing the white of the dress and the soft blues of the floral motif to stand out against a deep, almost velvety background. Subtle chiaroscuro models the figure, while loose, fluid brushwork suggests the impressionist interest in atmosphere and fleeting presence.
History & Provenance
Created in the early years of Morisot’s career, the painting entered the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston’s collection through a mid‑20th‑century acquisition. Its presence in the museum highlights the institution’s commitment to representing women artists of the French Impressionist movement.
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.
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