Who painted Julie Manet Holding a Cat?

Julie Manet Holding a Cat was painted by Berthe Morisot in 1889.

Where can I see Julie Manet Holding a Cat?

Julie Manet Holding a Cat is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Julie Manet Holding a Cat?

Julie Manet Holding a Cat is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Julie Manet Holding a Cat?

Museum-quality prints of Julie Manet Holding a Cat are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Julie Manet Holding a Cat

Berthe Morisot , 1889

Julie Manet Holding a Cat is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Berthe Morisot. It dates from 1889 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:recto: below image at right in graphite in later hand: 18/25; verso: none
Markings: Marked:recto: below image, at left: B.M. [Berthe Morisot, Lugt 388a]; verso: National Gallery of Art

About this work

Overview

Created in 1889, this drypoint print by Berthe Morisot portrays a young girl seated with two cats nestled in her lap. Executed on laid paper, the image captures an intimate domestic moment, rendered in the light, spontaneous manner characteristic of Morisot’s work within the Impressionist milieu.

Subject & Meaning

The figure is Julie Manet, Morisot’s daughter, shown in a simple robe with her hair pulled back. The presence of the calm cats emphasizes a quiet, everyday scene, reflecting the artist’s recurring interest in family life and the tender interactions between children and animals.

Technique & Style

Morist’s drypoint technique employs swift, sketch‑like lines that define the girl’s face and clothing, while areas of light shading suggest form without heavy detail. The etched lines on the textured laid paper convey a sense of immediacy, lending the composition a warm, lived‑in atmosphere typical of her impressionistic approach.

History & Provenance

Berthe Morisot, a central figure among the French Impressionists alongside Monet and Degas, produced this print during a prolific period of her career. The work remains part of the documented output that illustrates her contributions to printmaking, and it has been retained in collections that focus on late‑19th‑century French art.