Description
The painting Hortensia, or The Two Sisters by Berthe Morisot is a masterpiece of French Impressionism. The work depicts two sisters, one of them holding a bouquet of hydrangeas, sitting in a garden against a background of trees and foliage.
Morisot's artistic style is characterized by his loose, flowing technique, with soft, diffused brushstrokes that create an atmosphere of serenity and tranquility. The composition of the work is asymmetrical, with the two sisters located on the right side of the painting and the background full of vegetation on the left side, which creates an interesting visual balance.
Color is one of the most striking aspects of painting. Pastel shades of pink and blue combine with the rich green of vegetation to create a harmonious and soft palette. Sunlight filtering through the trees creates a light and shadow effect that gives depth and dimension to the work.
The history of the painting is also interesting. It was painted in 1881 and exhibited at the seventh Impressionist exhibition in Paris that same year. The work was acquired by the American art collector Louisine Havemeyer and became one of the jewels in her private collection.
A little known aspect of the painting is that Berthe Morisot was actually the sister of the sitter in the painting. The artist painted her sister Edma and her other sister, Julie, on several occasions, and the relationship between the three women was a constant source of inspiration for her work.
In summary, the painting Hortensia, or The Two Sisters by Berthe Morisot is an Impressionist work notable for its loose and flowing artistic style, its asymmetrical composition, its harmonious palette, and its interesting history. The work remains one of the most recognized and admired of the French Impressionist movement.