The Drawing Lesson 1889

Berthe Morisot made this drawing, titled "The Drawing Lesson," using graphite or a similar medium to create delicate lines and shading. At first glance, one is struck by its intimacy, the softness of the strokes rendering a quiet, domestic scene. Notice how Morisot employs a strategic sketchiness that invites the viewer to complete the image in their mind. This technique destabilizes traditional notions of finish and completeness. The composition focuses on two figures, presumably a mother and daughter, seated closely together; the lines suggest a shared activity around a drawing or book. Morisot's structural technique is not just about depicting a scene but also about capturing the fleeting, sensory experience of it. The unfinished quality encourages an active engagement, challenging fixed meanings and inviting ongoing interpretation. The use of line and form becomes a discourse on perception itself.