The Drawing Lesson (Berthe Morisot and her Daughter)

Art Historical Context

In 1889, Impressionist painter Berthe Morisot created *The Drawing Lesson (Bert Morisot and her Daughter)*, a tender drypoint print capturing an intimate moment between the artist and her young daughter, Julie Manet. Seated side by side, mother and child share a drawing lesson, their faces illuminated with focus and affection. This double portrait, listed under both names, reflects Morisot dual role as pioneering artist and devoted parent, blending self-portraiture with domestic life—a rarity in 19th-century art dominated by male perspectives. Executed in drypoint on wove paper, the work showcases Morisot's mastery of this intaglio technique, where a sharp needle incises directly into the plate, raising a soft burr that yields velvety, expressive lines. Unlike the loose brushstrokes of her Impressionist oils, this print's precise hatching and tonal depth evoke quiet intimacy, highlighting her versatility beyond painting. Measuring just 7½ x 5½ inches on the plate, its modest scale invites close viewing, emphasizing subtle details like Julie's attentive gaze. Acquired by The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1922, this piece underscores Morisot's trailblazing status as one of the few women in the Impressionist circle. It celebrates female creativity across generations, offering visitors a glimpse into the personal world of an artist who challenged gender norms while nurturing the next.

About the Artist

Berthe Morisot|Julie Manet · 1841–1895

Berthe Morisot (1841-1895) was a founding member of the Impressionist movement and one of the most significant women artists of the 19th century. Born into an affluent bourgeois family in Bourges, France—her mother was a great-niece of the Rococo painter Jean-Honoré Fragonard—Morisot received serious artistic training despite the social constraints facing women of her class. Under the guidance of...