Berthe Morisot

by Kathleen Adler, Tamar Garb

The French nineteenth-century painter Berthe Morisot (1841-95) was held by her contemporaries to be the 'quintessential Impressionist'. She was an influential member of the Impressionist group, whose exhibitions she organized with her fellow artists Monet, Renoir, Pissarro and Degas. A landmark tome in this field, this book considers Morisot's work in the context of the artistic and social milieu of the time. It explores the meaning of Baudelaire's famous dictum - to paint 'the heroism of modern life' - for a woman artist painting in the changing city of a very different city from the Paris of her male colleagues.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Biography

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 1987

Reviews

[Linniegayl · Rating 4 out of 5]

On my last trip to Paris I became interested in some of the paintings of Berthe Morisot that I saw. This book -- although rather short -- was quite informative. It places Morisot's work within the context of her fellow Impressionists, offering insights into how her work differed from theirs, due to restrictions placed on her as a female artist. I will definitely look for more information about Morisot in the future. I would give this a B, so four stars here.

[Mandy Power · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just starting my research into Berthe Morisot. This book was the perfect start the authors bring up the exact subjects I was so curious about - being a female painter during this time period, why her work is lesser known, etc.

[Denice · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like impressionist art, this book will intrigue you. Berthe Morisot and Mary Cassat were 2 women artists part of the movement, and it's intersting to learn how their styles progressed, and yet were held back because they were women. For example, any of the painting you see from Mary Cassat are always of women with babies, which was considered acceptable subject matter for her in the late 1800's. Because I love impressionism, this was a great read.

[Daryl Hogbin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Berthe Morisot was a fascinating member of the inner circle of Impressionists. One has to wonder what she could have produced had she been free from the limiting constraints placed on women in the 19th century.