Sur la Terrasse

Artist Berthe Morisot (French, 1841–1895)

Dateabout 1890

Mediumwatercolor and graphite on cream paper

Dimensionssight: 15.8 x 25.7 cm (6 1/4 x 10 1/8 in.)

ClassificationsDrawings

Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. George Batchelder

Terms

Object number1998.84

Label TextThe success of Morisot is partly indebted to the progressive mindset of her parents. A casual adeptness at drawing was acceptable, even encouraged among young women; however, serious study was considered brazenly inappropriate. In a letter to the Morisots’ mother, their art instructor expressed concern regarding the academic rigor of Berthe and Edma’s studies: "Considering the characters of your daughters, my teaching will not endow them with minor drawing room accomplishments, they will become painters. Do you realize what this means? In the upper class milieu to which you belong, this will be revolutionary, I might say almost catastrophic."ProvenanceC.W. Kraushaar Art Galleries, New York, NY; Mr. & Mrs. George Batchelder, Beverly, MA

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