The Pink Dress (Albertie-Marguerite Carré, later Madame Ferdinand-Henri Himmes, 1854–1935)

Painted in 1870, this early canvas depicting Albertie-Marguerite Carré (later Madame Ferdinand-Henri Himmes) belongs to the period when Morisot was developing from her Corot-influenced training toward the lighter, more immediate approach that would define her mature Impressionist style. The informal pose — the sitter turned slightly, dress a soft pink — anticipates Morisot's later interest in capturing personality and mood rather than formal portrait convention. The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds this transitional early work.

The pink dress is rendered with broad, smooth strokes that reflect Manet's influence in Morisot's circle during this period. The background is handled loosely, providing tonal support without detail. The palette is relatively restrained compared to her later work, with warm flesh tones and the dress's soft rose as central elements.