Summer's Day (Jour d'été)
Painting on canvas • Berthe Morisot
Style & Movement
Impressionism
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas, featuring rapid en plein air brushwork and zigzag strokes characteristic of high Impressionism
Creation Period
c. 1879
Dimensions & Format
45.7 cm × 75.2 cm (18 in × 29.6 in); Landscape format
Subject Description
Two fashionably dressed women in a rowboat on the lake in the Bois de Boulogne, Paris. The composition utilizes a cropped, Japanese-influenced perspective typical of the movement, focusing on the play of light on water and fabric.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent (Original located in the National Gallery, London / Hugh Lane Gallery, Dublin)
Estimated Market Value
$15,000,000 - $25,000,000 (Based on major sales for female Impressionist masters)
Auction Estimate
$12,000,000 - $20,000,000
Provenance History
Formerly in the collection of the artist; purchased by Durand-Ruel in 1892; later acquired by Sir Hugh Lane as part of his 1917 bequest.
Art Historical Significance
A masterpiece of the Impressionist movement, it demonstrates Morisot's unique ability to blend the figures into their environment through light and broken brushwork. It is a central work in the debate over the Hugh Lane bequest.
Notable Features
Signature 'Berthe Morisot' visible in the lower right corner; distinctive play of blue and green hues against the white luminous dresses.
Condition Issues
Stable; minimal craquelure consistent with age. No major restorations noted in modern gallery assessments.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain stable humidity (45-55% RH), UV-filtered lighting, and archival framing as per museum standards.