The Piano 1889

Berthe Morisot captured this image, The Piano, with pastel on paper sometime in the late 19th century. The scene of two young girls at a piano is immediately legible as an intimate domestic scene, a classic theme for women artists of the period. However, let’s consider the image in the context of the Paris Salon, the official art exhibition of the Académie des Beaux-Arts. The Salon was a powerful institution that shaped artistic careers, as well as public taste, in France. Morisot, along with other Impressionists, sought to challenge the Salon's conservative standards by depicting scenes from modern life, with a focus on light, color, and brushstroke. Morisot, as a woman artist, often chose domestic subjects, offering an intimate glimpse into the private lives of women and children. This focus also served as a subtle commentary on the limited roles available to women in 19th-century society. The sketch-like quality of the pastel medium contrasts with the highly finished oil paintings favored by the Salon, furthering a sense of the artist's personal touch. To better understand Morisot's innovative artistic contribution, one might consult exhibition catalogues, letters, and critical reviews from the period. Art history is most rewarding when we situate art within its complex social and institutional contexts.