Forêt de Compiègne

Forêt de Compiègne was painted in 1885, during the middle of Morisot's career. A pale birch trunk stands at center in a sun-dappled forest, surrounded by other thinner trunks and dense green foliage, with a figure in pink visible in the middle distance at left. The brushwork is fast and directional — diagonal strokes of green, yellow, pink, and blue laid down in quick passes that barely describe the forms. The canvas weave shows through in places. A bench is visible at the far left. Morisot's signature is in the lower right corner.