Artwork
Girl Picking Cherries
Girl Picking Cherries is a chalk drawing by the Impressionist artist Berthe Morisot. It dates from 1891 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Girl Picking Cherries is a 1891 drawing by Berthe Morisot, executed in red chalk with stumping on light brown paper. The work exemplifies Morisot's Impressionist approach, characterized by loose, expressive lines and blended textures.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing portrays a young girl absorbed in the everyday activity of picking cherries. The depiction emphasizes the simplicity and intimacy of the moment, reflecting Impressionism's focus on ordinary life.
Technique & Style
Morisot employed red chalk with stumping to achieve soft, smudged lines and a warm, peachy background. The technique of lightly rubbing the chalk created a gentle, loose appearance, typical of her Impressionist style.
History & Provenance
Created in 1891, the drawing is part of Morisot's later work. Her association with the Impressionist movement began after exhibiting in the Paris Salon (1864-1873) and joining the first independent Impressionist exhibition in 1874.
Context
Girl Picking Cherries is consistent with Morisot's thematic focus on everyday scenes, particularly those featuring women and children in quiet, domestic, or natural settings.
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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