Berthe Morisot – The Thicket, 1894 Sotheby’s

The composition presents a densely packed thicket, rendered in a delicate watercolor technique. The artists focus appears less on precise botanical representation and more on capturing the overall impression of light filtering through foliage. A dominant verticality is established by the trunks of several trees, which rise from the lower portion of the canvas, their forms dissolving into a hazy background.
The color palette is predominantly muted – yellows, greens, and browns dominate, creating an atmosphere of subdued warmth. The application of pigment is loose and fluid; washes blend seamlessly, suggesting movement and transience within the woodland scene. Theres a notable absence of sharp outlines; instead, forms are suggested through subtle shifts in tone and color intensity. This contributes to a sense of atmospheric perspective, where distant elements appear softer and less defined.
The artist has employed a limited range of brushstrokes – primarily broad washes and quick, gestural marks – which lend the work an immediacy and spontaneity. The foreground is somewhat obscured by overlapping foliage, creating a feeling of depth while simultaneously restricting visibility. A few scattered leaves in reddish hues are visible near the top edge, providing a subtle contrast to the prevailing green and yellow tones.
Beyond the straightforward depiction of nature, theres a sense of introspection conveyed through the painting’s quietude. The density of the thicket could be interpreted as symbolic of complexity or obscurity, while the diffused light suggests an attempt to penetrate this veil. The lack of human presence reinforces the feeling of solitude and invites contemplation on the natural world and one’s place within it. It is a scene that evokes a sense of quiet observation rather than dramatic action, suggesting a personal connection between the artist and the subject matter.