Wooded Landscape c. 19th century

Editor: So, this watercolor is Berthe Morisot's "Wooded Landscape" from the Harvard Art Museums. I’m struck by its intimate scale and how it evokes a sense of being completely surrounded by nature. What do you see in it? Curator: I see Morisot engaging with the Impressionist project of capturing fleeting moments, but also questioning the Salon’s expectations of proper subject matter for women artists. How does depicting a seemingly apolitical landscape challenge the male-dominated art world? Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way! Was landscape painting considered less important at the time? Curator: Not necessarily less important, but for women, access to traditional genres like history painting was often restricted. So, depicting the natural world, particularly scenes of leisure, provided a space for artistic expression and social commentary. It's worth asking, what message could be conveyed in it regarding women in society at that time? Editor: This gives me a whole new perspective on how to view Morisot's work! Thanks! Curator: Indeed. It pushes us to consider the socio-political implications inherent in every artistic choice.