Artwork
Young Woman with a Straw Hat
Young Woman with a Straw Hat is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Berthe Morisot. It dates from 1884 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
The composition focuses on the depiction of a female subject, characterized by the inclusion of a straw hat as a defining visual element.
Executed in 1884, Young Woman with a Straw Hat is an oil painting on canvas. The work measures 55.5 cm in height and 46.7 cm in width. Classified as a portrait, the piece utilizes oil paint applied to a woven canvas support, consistent with the materials standard for late nineteenth-century French painting.
The composition focuses on the depiction of a female subject, characterized by the inclusion of a straw hat as a defining visual element.
History & Provenance
Young Woman with a Straw Hat is an oil on canvas portrait painted by Berthe Morisot in 1884. The work remained in the artist’s estate after her death and was sold in 1899 by her heirs to Galerie Durand‑Ruel in Paris. It entered the collection of Albert Barnes on 28 February 1912, following a purchase arranged through William Glackens.
In 1936 the painting passed to Galerie Étienne Bignou in New York, and on 17 January 1941 it was acquired by Ailsa Mellon Bruce. Bruce’s bequest in 1970 transferred the painting to the National Gallery of Art, where it remains on view.
Young Woman with a Straw Hat is held by the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., where it entered the collection in 1970 as part of the bequest of Ailsa Mellon Bruce.
The painting's provenance traces from the heirs of Berthe Morisot to Galerie Durand-Ruel in Paris in 1899, after which it was exhibited at the Grafton Galleries in London in 1905. Albert Barnes acquired the work on 28 February 1912 through Durand-Ruel; it then passed to Galerie Étienne Bignou in New York on 27 November 1936, and subsequently to the Carroll Carstairs Gallery. Ailsa Mellon Bruce purchased the painting on 17 January 1941 and bequeathed it to the NGA in 1970.
Overview
Berthe Morisot, a prominent French painter and printmaker, created Young Woman with a Straw Hat in 1884. This oil on canvas work exemplifies her engagement with the Impressionist movement. The painting presents a portrait of a woman, whose identity is not specified, characterized by her distinctive headwear. It reflects Morisot's signature style, employing a light palette and fluid brushwork to capture a momentary impression.
Subject & Meaning
The artwork features a young woman depicted in a light-colored dress, her gaze directed towards the right with her head gently inclined. Her attire is notable for the straw hat she wears, which is embellished with flowers. A dark scarf is tied around her neck, providing a subtle contrast to her light garments. The portrait focuses on her appearance, capturing a sense of quiet contemplation or observation.
Context
Berthe Morisot was a pivotal figure in the development of Impressionism, recognized as a founding member of the group. Before aligning with these artists and participating in their independent exhibitions, she had shown her work at the official Paris Salon. Her decision to join the Impressionists marked a significant break from traditional artistic institutions, contributing to a new era of artistic expression outside established academic venues.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Berthe Marie Pauline Morisot was a French painter, printmaker and a member of the circle of painters in Paris who became known as the Impressionists.
