The Artist's Son Georges [verso]

"The Artist's Son Georges [verso]", an 1880 creation by Berthe Morisot, offers us an intimate glimpse into the artist's world. This delicate drawing, executed in pastel and graphite on cream wove paper, portrays the artist's son, Georges. Notice how Morisot uses soft pastel strokes to capture his youthful features - the gentle curve of his cheek, the light in his blue eyes that gaze directly at us, and the slight parting of his lips. The subtle shading of pink, red, and white brings a wonderful warmth and life to his face. nn The background, rendered in muted cream and beige tones, doesn't distract from Georges, who is the clear focus. Morisot masterfully uses faint graphite lines, perhaps hinting at a wall behind him, but never overwhelming the portrait. nn Now, take a look at the left side of the paper. See that lightly sketched head study? It's smaller, less defined, but offers a fascinating peek into Morisot's artistic process. It's as if we're seeing her initial thoughts and observations before she fully commits to the main portrait. nn This piece, measuring 0.317 meters in width and 0.239 meters in height, is a testament to Morisot's talent for capturing the essence of her subjects with remarkable tenderness and sensitivity. The National Gallery of Art is truly fortunate to house such a beautiful and personal work.