In a Park 1874

Berthe Morisot painted 'In a Park' with oil on canvas in late-nineteenth-century France. The image depicts a woman, child, and dog resting in a park. Morisot was part of the circle of Impressionist painters in France, a group that gained notoriety for challenging the established norms of the French Salon system. Prior to Impressionism, French painting was dominated by historical and allegorical subjects, usually painted with very fine brushstrokes. Impressionists wanted to represent modern life in a rapidly changing world, and they did so with loose brushwork and by representing common people. Morisot, along with Mary Cassatt, were exceptional as women who took part in these radical artistic developments. During this period, women were encouraged to pursue painting as a hobby, but were not generally taken seriously as professional artists. Morisot was able to overcome these social hurdles with the help of her family, especially her sister Edma. To better understand Morisot’s work, historians consult exhibition reviews, personal letters, and other first-hand accounts. The meaning of any work of art depends on understanding the social and institutional conditions in which it was made.