Berthe Morisot

by Anne Higonnet

Of the six Impressionist painters whose first exhibition scandalized and fascinated Paris in 1874, Berthe Morisot was the only woman. She reached a pinnacle of artistic achievement despite the restraints society placed on her sex, adroitly combining her artistic ambitions with a rewarding family life. Anne Higonnet brings fully to life an accomplished artist and her world.

Genres: Art, Biography, Nonfiction, Art History

272 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1990

Reviews

[Scott Leffler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok biography of an exceptional artist.
Favorite paintings: Woman at Her Toilette & Woman and Child on a Balcony

[Stephanie Storey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lovely biography of Berthe Morisot, one of the first members of the Impressionist movement... yes, it covered the obligatory art historical importance of the Impressionist movement, but more importantly, it shed light on Mlle Morisot's personal life: her doubts and internal struggles; her close relationship with her sister; her fascinating relationship with the more famous Manet (she ended up marrying his younger brother); the fear of living in Paris during the Franco-Prussian War (she said it was strange to become used to cannon fire); and her struggle to have an artistic career as a woman in the late 19th century.

I put this book down thinking of how brave Morisot was -- to decide to be an ARTIST at a time when that career path wasn't really open to her. My favorite quote: "She traded peace of mind for the power of obsession, the power of hope." THAT is the life I aspire to -- to trade stability in exchange for art..

[Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Morisot was a wonderful artist who lived a fascinating life. This biography is the first to fully integrate the work and the life, and also to render Morisot multidimensional and self-sufficient - not merely a reflection of or response to the other great painters of her place and time. However, Higonnet does not bring the range and depth to her Morisot biography that Beth Archer Brombert summoned for her excellent “Édouard Manet: Rebel in a Frock Coat”. Most importantly, Brombert deftly reads the ellipses in the writing Morisot left behind (Morisot and members of her family censored a significant proportion of the contents of letters and other communications), whereas Higonnet treats what is left behind as complete. Brombert’s psychological picture of Berthe Morisot is therefore more convincing than Higonnet’s, which just makes it important to read both books!

[Christopher Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anne Higonnet's biography of the artist Berthe Morisot is everything a biography should be. It traces the story of the artist's life, balancing the sort of details the reader would want to know about Morisot with the wider world of nineteenth century Paris - and the Impressionist movement that Morisot was instrumental in helping to launch.

For a century Morisot's legacy lay in tatters. Demoted to an also-ran in the art world, on account solely of her gender, there was a danger that her magnificent work would eventually be forgotten entirely. Luckily her more recent biographers have seen fit to return her to the place she once held, right at the centre of the movement that truly revolutionised the world of art.

[Neera Kapahi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book about the life and work of this talented artist. Berthe Morisot exhibited with the Impressionists. When the Impressionists first exhibited their work in 1874, they were considered radical because they broke the rules of art. Interestingly, Berthe Morisot’s work was also exhibited at the prestigious Salon - that was a big deal.

I enjoyed the book because I have taken a few Art History classes and it was interesting to know more about her work, her progress over the years and her interactions with other artists. Berthe Morisot and her sister received art education from various teachers including Corot. They also learnt by copying paintings at the Louvre.

The book is well researched and insightful.

[Letitia Muresan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally a book that put Berthe Morisot in the limelight and out of the shadows of her brother in law Édouard Manet. It is
Interesting how she received the support of her husband Eugene and this book brought to life all the other impressionist painters .
Also the poets such as Mallarme , other painters like Puis de Chavanes and the influence of English painters such as Turner ..
Changed my view of Mary Cassatt
Read the book while referring to the paintings.

[Christene Alfonsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely not for everyone, but I loved learning about Berthe's relationship with her sister, Edouard Manet, her husband, & her daughter. Learned a lot about the Impressionist movement and Berthe's pivotal role as the only female founder of Impressionism. Would love a movie about Berthe.

[Stephen Kane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this biography finding human interest in daily lives and in the smaller details.

[LRKK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tremendous, brief, biography of and meditation on one of the driving forces of Impressionism and a towering figure of 19th century art. Highly recommended.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very thorough and helpful in understanding the Impressionist movement and particularly Women Artists.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a biography of Berthe Morisot, one of the few known female Impressionist painters, & I loved it! Berthe was one of only a few women in the Impressionist movement. It showed the struggle of artists who wanted to do break from the norm---change is not easily accepted.

[Monique Guilland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Opened my eyes to art and the artist.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Very interesting, I learned a lot about the Impressionists and especially about Berthe, the first woman Impressionist artist.

[Rachel Cochran · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit dry, but interesting.

[Susan Liston · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty basic biography. Interesting enough, but no particular sparkle.