Artwork

Berthe Morisot in Silhouette

Berthe Morisot in Silhouette, by Edouard Manet, 1873
Berthe Morisot in Silhouette, by Edouard Manet, 1873

Berthe Morisot in Silhouette is a print by the Impressionist artist Edouard Manet. It dates from 1873 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Berthe Morisot in Silhouette is a print by Édouard Manet, created around 1873. It is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a woman's face and hair, likely Berthe Morisot, a figure associated with the artist. The simple yet expressive rendering conveys a sense of immediacy.

Technique & Style

Executed in quick, loose lines, the drawing employs subtle shading to suggest depth, particularly around the eyes and hair. This approach is characteristic of Impressionist techniques, which emphasize capturing fleeting moments.

Context

The work reflects the Impressionist movement's emphasis on rapid, spontaneous creation, often resulting in unfinished or sketch-like appearances.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Edouard Manet

Artist

Edouard Manet

Édouard Manet didn’t have much time to make his mark—he died at 51—but he used every year.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.