Reading1873 · Study 1950.89

Context from the museum

Morisot’s sister, Edma, posed for this painting of a woman seated on her shawl in a field, her eyes on the pages of a book, with a parasol and fan discarded on the grass. Her white dress reflects the light and shadows of the outdoor setting; its delicate floral pattern echoes the meadow’s wildflowers. X-ray examination reveals that Morisot revised Edma’s eyes, which previously looked directly at the beholder, in a manner more typical of Manet’s figures (see The Railway on view in this gallery). Whereas women in Manet’s paintings often return the viewer’s look, Morisot’s figures are usually absorbed in tasks or private reflection.

Museum description reproduced from its CC0 open-access record. Read the original catalog entry.

A detail to notice

The Impressionists were mostly men with a few notable exceptions, including Berthe Morisot. While Morisot's work includes many of the hallmarks of Impressionism, such as her loose brushwork, the subject matter of her paintings often reflects the social constraints of her gender. Her paintings often depicted domestic tableaux or images of her friends and family, such as this painting of her sister.

Observation supplied by the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Read the dimensions before the image

The selected unframed measurement for Reading is 71.8 cm wide and 46 cm high, equivalent to approximately 28.3 × 18.1 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 1.56:1. The rectangular bounding area is 0.33 square meters; it describes the measured footprint, not the amount of paint or the monetary value.

On an illustrative 300 cm wall, the recorded width occupies 23.9% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 114.1 cm on each side before adding a frame. These are calculations by Physical Art For Crypto using museum measurements. They are not the museum’s display recommendations.

Questions to bring to your own collection

With Reading in view, identify one feature you can point to, then distinguish what the museum records from your personal response. Keep its medium, oil on canvas, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.

• Which part of this horizontal composition catches your eye first?
• Would a 71.8 cm width still suit the space after allowing for furniture and a frame?
• What surface detail would you need to see in person or in a close photograph?