Goose

A lone goose, rendered in drypoint, dominates this intimate print, its form emerging from a flurry of delicate lines. Berthe Morisot captures the bird in profile, its long neck gracefully curved, with a sense of both alertness and calm. The drypoint technique, where a needle directly incises lines into a copper plate, creates a distinctive burr that holds ink, resulting in the soft, velvety texture visible here. This approach allows for a spontaneous, almost sketched quality, lending the image an immediate, lifelike feel. Produced in 1889, this work reflects the Impressionist interest in capturing fleeting moments and everyday subjects, even when depicting animals. The simplicity of the composition focuses all attention on the bird itself, inviting a close look at the subtle details of its plumage and posture.