Young Woman Seated on a Sofa (Jeune femme assise sur un sofa)
Painting on canvas • Berthe Morisot (French, 1841–1895)
Style & Movement
Impressionism
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas, characterized by rapid, gestural brushwork, wet-on-wet application, and a lively, sketchy execution typical of the artist's mature style.
Creation Period
circa 1879
Dimensions & Format
80.6 x 99.7 cm (31 3/4 x 39 1/4 in.); Landscape format
Subject Description
A fashionable young woman sits on a patterned sofa against an indoor/outdoor backdrop featuring a balcony garden. She holds a floral hat; the composition blends the sitter with her environment through energetic, feathery brushstrokes that emphasize light and atmosphere over rigid form.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent state of preservation; the paint layer appears stable with vibrant pigment retention.
Estimated Market Value
15,000,000 - 25,000,000 USD (based on rarity and importance of large-scale Morisot works)
Auction Estimate
12,000,000 - 20,000,000 USD
Provenance History
Formerly in the collection of the artist's family; eventually acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ittleson Jr. Purchase Fund, 1992).
Art Historical Significance
A premier example of Morisot’s ability to dissolve the boundary between figure and ground. It highlights her role as a central figure in the Impressionist movement, showcasing her unique 'unfinished' aesthetic that influenced modern art.
Notable Features
Features a prominent signature 'Berthe Morisot' in the lower left corner; housed in a highly ornate gilded Rococo-style carved wooden frame.
Condition Issues
Minor stable craquelure consistent with age; no significant losses or major overpainting visible under standard lighting.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain stable humidity (45-55%) and temperature; display under UV-filtered museum lighting at low lux levels to prevent pigment degradation.