The Cradle
1872
Berthe Morisot captured a quiet, intimate moment of motherhood in this groundbreaking 1872 piece, depicting her sister Edma gazing lovingly at her sleeping baby. As a founding member of the Impressionist movement, Morisot used loose, feathery brushstrokes to make the sheer white fabric of the cradle almost glow with light. It was the very first painting she exhibited at the famous 1874 Impressionist exhibition, boldly proving that domestic scenes were just as worthy of high art as grand landscapes. Today, you can find this tender masterpiece resting in the Musée d'Orsay in Paris.
Location: Musée d'Orsay, Paris
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