1869
The mother and sister of the artist
description
Mediums: oil, canvas.
Dimensions:81,8 x 101 см.
Location: National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC.
This painting was created when Morisot’s sister Edma Pontillon was staying with her family in the winter of 1869–1870 to await the birth of her first child. The mother is concentrated on reading a book and does not pay attention to the presence of her daughter. Edma is completely immersed in her thoughts. Her white dress contrasts with the mother’s black dress, which she put on because of the death of her own mother.
Morisot said that she had some problems with finishing the canvas and Edouard Manet extensively repainted the figure of the artist’s mother.
