“The Cradle”
Today, one from a highly praised and talented female artist.
“The Cradle” is a lovely oil on canvas painting by the French artist, Berthe Morisot, from 1872. Morisot was a prominent member of the Impressionism art movement that swept through France. Both Berthe Morisot and Mary Cassatt are generally regarded as the most important female artists of the late nineteenth century.
“The Cradle” is Morisot’s most famous work. It is her first painting on the theme of motherhood that would continually re-appear in her art throughout her career. In it, Morisot depicts her older sister, Edma, watching over her sleeping daughter, Blanche. The mother looks down lovingly. Both mother and child’s arms are folded at the elbow, mirroring each other. The mother pulls the veil cradle covering over her baby, creating a sense of intimacy separate from the viewer. Edma is dressed in the style of the day, with a striped shirt with a lace undershirt, and a black choker around her neck. The nursery furniture is also modern in style.
This painting was first displayed at the Impressionist exhibition in 1874 when Morisot was 31 years old. It was the very first painting by a woman to be shown at these exclusive exhibitions. Unfortunately, mostly because she was a woman, it did not garner much attention. After unsuccessfully trying to sell it, Morisot gave it to her sister, Edma. It remained in the family’s possession until the Louvre purchased it in 1930.
Morisot first became acquainted with the artist, Édouard Manet, in 1868. The two became lifelong friends, offering opinions and suggestions towards each other’s art. Morisot and Manet spent a lot of time together, and their styles grew to become quite similar. They shared similar approaches to their art. They painted with more conservative colors than other Impressionist artists, only using hues that appeared in nature. Through their continual discussions, they both agreed to lighten their overall palette and curb their use of black. Two years after creating this painting, Morisot would marry Manet’s brother, Eugène, who was also an artist. The influence of Édouard Manet and their conversations can clearly be seen in “The Cradle”.
“The Cradle” is currently on display at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, France.
For more on Berthe Morisot, please visit her short biography here.
You can find more artists to learn about here.
