Who painted At the Edge of the Forest (Edma and Jeanne)?

At the Edge of the Forest (Edma and Jeanne) was painted by Berthe Morisot in 1872-01-01.

Where can I see At the Edge of the Forest (Edma and Jeanne)?

At the Edge of the Forest (Edma and Jeanne) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is At the Edge of the Forest (Edma and Jeanne)?

At the Edge of the Forest (Edma and Jeanne) is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of At the Edge of the Forest (Edma and Jeanne)?

Museum-quality prints of At the Edge of the Forest (Edma and Jeanne) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

At the Edge of the Forest (Edma and Jeanne)

Berthe Morisot , 1872

At the Edge of the Forest (Edma and Jeanne) is an unspecified painting by the Impressionist artist Berthe Morisot. It dates from 1872 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The painting portrays two young women, Edma and Jeanne, standing at the fringe of a woodland clearing, their figures framed by slender trees and dappled light.

The painting portrays two young women, Edma and Jeanne, standing at the fringe of a woodland clearing, their figures framed by slender trees and dappled light. Morisot renders their dresses in soft, flowing brushstrokes that emphasize movement and intimacy, while the surrounding foliage suggests a private, almost reverie-like space. The work is interpreted as a study of sisterly affection and the fleeting moments of youthful leisure, reflecting the domestic sphere often celebrated in Impressionist art.

Its symbolism lies in the juxtaposition of the cultivated garden edge with the untamed forest, hinting at the tension between societal expectations and personal freedom. The scene captures a quiet narrative of sisterly companionship amid nature's encroaching presence.

History & Provenance

Berthe Morisot created the work titled At the Edge of the Forest (Edma and Jeanne) in 1872. The piece is classified variously as a painting and a drawing within the historical record. It is currently held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. No specific details regarding a commission, the original ownership chain, or the precise circumstances of its creation are provided in the available sources.

The work At the Edge of the Forest (Edma and Jeanne) by Berthe Morisot is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. While one source classifies the 1872 piece as a painting, another identifies it as a drawing. The National Gallery of Art lists the work's inception date as 1872. Neither of the provided sources supplies a specific inventory or accession number for the piece, nor do they document any exhibition history.

Overview

Berthe Morisot’s 1872 oil painting At the Edge of the Forest (Edma and Jeanne) is part of the National Gallery of Art’s collection in Washington, D.C. The work presents a quiet outdoor scene in which two women are seated on a grassy verge bordering a wooded area, rendered in a subdued palette that emphasizes the surrounding foliage.

Technique & Style

Morisot employs loose, fluid brushwork to convey the interplay of light and shadow across the meadow and trees. The muted greens of the background and the soft tonal transitions create an atmospheric effect, while the delicate handling of the figures’ dresses and hats highlights her interest in capturing fleeting visual impressions rather than detailed realism.