Who painted Young Saint John?

Young Saint John was painted by Berthe Morisot in 1890.

Where can I see Young Saint John?

Young Saint John is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Young Saint John?

Young Saint John is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Young Saint John

Berthe Morisot , 1890

Young Saint John is a drawing by the Impressionist artist Berthe Morisot. It dates from 1890 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1975.83
Credit line: Gift of Mrs. Lewis B. Williams

About this work

Overview

Young Saint John is a pastel drawing created by Berthe Morisot in 1890, during her stay in Mézy, France. The work is one of several studies for a larger, full-length painting depicting Saint John the Baptist.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing portrays a young village boy, posed as Saint John, holding a simple wooden cross. The subject's soft, blurred facial features and natural demeanor suggest a focus on capturing a fleeting moment rather than conveying religious solemnity.

Technique & Style

Morisot employed quick, light strokes and loose, sketchy marks, characteristic of her approach to the final canvas. The partially unfinished state of the drawing emphasizes spontaneity and immediacy, akin to the artistic principle of sfumato.

History & Provenance

Created in the attic studio of a rented house in Mézy, the drawing was inspired by a local boy who modeled for Morisot during her spring 1890 residency there.