Berthe Morisot's Radical Impressionism in 'Summer's Day'

Berthe Morisot (1841-1895) exhibited in nearly every Impressionist show except one, showcasing 'Summer's Day' in 1880. Created in 1879, this painting features two women in a boat at the Bois de Boulogne, a park close to her residence where she often strolled with her daughter, Julie. While she sketched outdoors using professional models, the final work was completed at home. Her brushwork is characterized by a sketchy style with zig-zag strokes and a color palette of blues, greens, and whites, which critics found quite radical for Impressionism. Influenced by François Boucher and Camille Corot, she mingled with artists like Camille Pissarro, Edgar Degas, and Édouard Manet, who portrayed her several times. In 1874, she wed Manet's brother, Eugène, who encouraged her artistic endeavors. After the birth of her only child, Julie, in 1878, Morisot created more watercolors. She was instrumental in the Impressionist movement and sold her artworks for prices comparable to her male peers. The National Gallery in London holds 'Summer's Day.'