Jeannie Gobillard 1894

Berthe Morisot painted ‘Jeannie Gobillard’ with oil on canvas, in the impressionist style. Her quick, loose brushwork is evident throughout. You can see how Morisot applied thin layers of paint, one over another, in rapid succession. The marks are very gestural. This technique captures the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere, giving the portrait a sense of immediacy. The visible brushstrokes add texture to the surface. Morisot often depicted women and domestic scenes, reflecting her own experiences as a woman in 19th-century French society. She skillfully navigates the expectations placed upon her while asserting her creative independence. This is evident in her modern approach to painting. It is through this lens that we can see the material significance of her work, where she redefines our understanding of what truly constitutes "high art."