Mademoiselle Louise Riesener in a Hat c. 1877 - 1880

Berthe Morisot rendered Mademoiselle Louise Riesener in a Hat with pastel and charcoal on paper. The artwork is dominated by muted tones, with the stark black of the hat contrasting against the softer grays and whites of the face and background, creating an immediate focal point. Morisot’s loose, gestural strokes challenge traditional portraiture by emphasizing the ephemeral and transient nature of Impressionism. Notice how the hat is not just an accessory but almost an extension of the sitter's persona, rendered with an almost aggressive application of charcoal that destabilizes conventional notions of femininity and beauty. The wisps of pastel suggest rather than define the features, blurring the line between representation and abstraction. The sketch-like quality suggests a fleeting moment captured, inviting questions about the sitter's role and identity in a rapidly changing society. The unfinished quality emphasizes the process of art-making itself, drawing attention to the materiality of the medium. The artwork resists a singular, fixed interpretation, reflecting the fluidity of modern life.