Morist's Mother and Sister

BERTHE MORIST’S MOTHER AND SISTER OF THE ARTIST (1870)

Portrays, as it says, a mother and daughter. Sitting in their living room they offer a symbol of domesticity and family culture at the time. However, clearly they pose a contrast to each other in attire and appearance. The mother, in her black and large ensemble, sits reading. Her eyes are quiet. She seems at peace with her moment and time. We are left to guess at her relationship status. But we can say that she is on the older side of her lifetime equipped with grayer hairs and a darker appearance. In contrast, we see the younger daughter as the center piece. The daughter is dressed in all white. Sitting on a coach that is also white with fading flowers making her almost blend into her scenery. You can see this theme apparent in her eyes and the artist’s positioning of the young girl. She seems trapped behind her mother and the table as she sits on the coach. She looks as though her mind is in the distance and her thoughts are yearning for something more. She has fare skin and light hair. Her appearance and situation represent the era. As a women you are meant to be quiet, peaceful, and well read. All while looking pretty. There are other icons in this piece as well, such as the painting above their heads which can hint at their middle to high-class status. Paintings were a luxury and a cost to have. Furthermore, we see fresh flowers on the side table and what looks to possibly be a newspaper. The flowers could work in the same way as the painting. But a women reading a newspaper at this time is out of place and almost some what of a rebellion. So if this paper-like thing in the painting is meant to mimic a newspaper then we can guess that it is setting on the table to pose a intersection for the young daughter’s longing to be somewhere else or even, more valuable to society. In conclusion, it would seem this is an appropriate portrayal of a women’s place in society at the time. It’s interesting that this is a piece done by the brother/son of the subjects. It’s unique that he had a clear perspective on his sister’s grief (I think) or at least that he was able to portray his family so clearly.