Geese
Painting on canvas • Berthe Morisot
Style & Movement
Impressionism
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas; wet-on-wet technique with rapid, impressionistic brushstrokes and impasto highlights
Creation Period
c. 1889
Dimensions & Format
Approx. 65 x 54 cm; Portrait orientation
Subject Description
A vibrant outdoor scene depicting white geese in the foreground on a grassy bank. In the middle ground, figures are seen in a small boat on a body of water, likely a pond or lake in a park (possibly the Bois de Boulogne). The composition is lush with green foliage and dappled light, emphasizing the fleeting effects of atmosphere and reflection.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent/Very Good; the paint layer appears stable with vibrant pigment retention and characteristic surface texture preserved.
Estimated Market Value
$1,500,000 - $3,000,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$1,200,000 - $2,500,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely from the artist's estate; subsequently through private collections and prominent galleries specializing in Impressionist works. Often associated with the collection of the National Gallery of Art, DC (Ailsa Mellon Bruce Collection).
Art Historical Significance
A significant example of Morisot's late style, characterized by extremely loose, sketch-like brushwork that borders on abstraction. It demonstrates her mastery of light and her unique position as a leading female figure in the original Impressionist circle.
Notable Features
Signature often located in the lower left or right (partially obscured by brushwork); notable for its rhythmic, diagonal brushstrokes that unite the water and the grass.
Condition Issues
Minor age-related craquelure potentially present; slight thinning of paint in areas where the canvas grain is visible, which is often intentional in Morisot's later works.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain stable humidity (45-55%) and temperature; protect from direct UV light exposure; housed in a museum-quality gilt frame with archival backing.