Daffodils 1885

Berthe Morisot's "Daffodils" offers an intimate glimpse into a domestic scene, painted with oil on canvas. The vibrant yellow of the daffodils bursts forth, a dense cluster of color contained within a delicate porcelain bowl. Morisot's brushwork is loose and gestural, a hallmark of Impressionism, yet it carries a structural purpose. Look at how the strokes define the form of the flowers, creating volume and texture. Notice the use of light; how it glances off the petals, animating the scene with a sense of immediacy. The bowl, adorned with subtle floral motifs, sits atop a saucer, both rendered with a similar lightness of touch. The composition embraces asymmetry and a slightly elevated viewpoint. This destabilizes traditional still-life arrangements. Instead, Morisot invites us into a fleeting moment of beauty, capturing not just the appearance but also the essence of these spring blooms. It's a meditation on light, form, and the transient nature of beauty itself.