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Manet and Morisot
An intimate exploration of an artistic friendship at the heart of the Impressionist movement
Édouard Manet (1832–1883) was a pioneer of modern painting, and Berthe Morisot (1841–1895) was the sole female founding member of the Impressionist group. To each other, they were colleagues, friends, and—following Morisot’s marriage to Manet’s brother—family. Unfolding over a period of fifteen years, theirs was arguably the closest relationship between any two members of the Impressionist circle. Through collaboration, competition, and mutual collecting, each influenced the other’s work and, in the process, changed the course of modern art.
The story of this relationship has most often been told through Manet’s magnificent portraits of Morisot, but the two artists’ connection was more than one between painter and muse. Exploring pairs and groups of related works, Manet and Morisot reveals that, while Morisot looked to Manet for inspiration during her early career, as Morisot’s work became more daring and garnered widespread acclaim, Manet began to follow her example, emulating her choice of subjects, her high-keyed colors, even her rapid, fluttering brushstrokes. Illustrated essays and entries challenge gendered perspectives in the Manet literature, while correspondence and a technical study invite readers into the two artists’ shared social circle and contrasting studio practices.
Published in association with the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Exhibition
Legion of Honor, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
(October 11, 2025–March 1, 2026)
Cleveland Museum of Art
(March 29–July 5, 2026)
Édouard Manet (1832–1883) was a pioneer of modern painting, and Berthe Morisot (1841–1895) was the sole female founding member of the Impressionist group. To each other, they were colleagues, friends, and—following Morisot’s marriage to Manet’s brother—family. Unfolding over a period of fifteen years, theirs was arguably the closest relationship between any two members of the Impressionist circle. Through collaboration, competition, and mutual collecting, each influenced the other’s work and, in the process, changed the course of modern art.
The story of this relationship has most often been told through Manet’s magnificent portraits of Morisot, but the two artists’ connection was more than one between painter and muse. Exploring pairs and groups of related works, Manet and Morisot reveals that, while Morisot looked to Manet for inspiration during her early career, as Morisot’s work became more daring and garnered widespread acclaim, Manet began to follow her example, emulating her choice of subjects, her high-keyed colors, even her rapid, fluttering brushstrokes. Illustrated essays and entries challenge gendered perspectives in the Manet literature, while correspondence and a technical study invite readers into the two artists’ shared social circle and contrasting studio practices.
Published in association with the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Exhibition
Legion of Honor, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
(October 11, 2025–March 1, 2026)
Cleveland Museum of Art
(March 29–July 5, 2026)
- GenresBiographyNonfiction
352 pages, Hardcover
Published October 14, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 23, 2026
I saw this exhibit at one of my local museums and tried to get this catalog while it was still on so I could see it again after reading the book but the library queue was long and I was able to get a copy only long after the exhibit left.
The art exhibit was excellent, a recent favorite of mine. The book is superb. I’m disappointed that I didn’t have/take the time to read all of its contents. It would be a good book to own. I love the art so even if I didn’t want to reread it, having it handy and being able to view the art would be worthwhile. The book and exhibit are so great because the art is glorious and especially because these people and their relationships with one another are fascinating. I really liked these people! The catalog is organized beautifully. There is even a pull out page to enable viewing four important related paintings at once, in a large enough size to truly enjoy them. I appreciate that all the essays had related artwork on their pages.
I might borrow the book again so that I can finish reading it, and to see the art again too, but it’s a heavy book and I’d be more inclined to look at it again if it came in e-book form, which is unlikely, or if I buy it, also unlikely. I don’t think my library will get the (probably lighter in weight) paperback edition. Given the pullout page and how easily this book could be damaged, I feel lucky that they make the hardcover edition available for borrowing.
I have three or four more days with this book before I plan to return it but I’m unlikely to read more, though I might look at all the art one more time.
Contents:
Director’s Foreword
Lenders to the Exhibition
Manet & Morisot
Plates
Essays:
An Enigma in Painting: Manet’s Portraits of Morisot
“The Prettiest Caricature That Was Ever Seen”: Morisot, Manet, and The Mother and Sister of the Artist
“Marisot” in 1874
“An Honest and Excellent Man”: Eugene Manet
Manet & Morisot: Pastels
A Woman for All Seasons: Morisot and Manet in Dialogue
Morisot After Manet
Timeline
Manet & Morisot: A Selection of Correspondence
Morisot’s Manets
List of Plates
Notes
References Cited
Exhibitions Cited
Acknowledgments
Indexes
Picture Credits
The art exhibit was excellent, a recent favorite of mine. The book is superb. I’m disappointed that I didn’t have/take the time to read all of its contents. It would be a good book to own. I love the art so even if I didn’t want to reread it, having it handy and being able to view the art would be worthwhile. The book and exhibit are so great because the art is glorious and especially because these people and their relationships with one another are fascinating. I really liked these people! The catalog is organized beautifully. There is even a pull out page to enable viewing four important related paintings at once, in a large enough size to truly enjoy them. I appreciate that all the essays had related artwork on their pages.
I might borrow the book again so that I can finish reading it, and to see the art again too, but it’s a heavy book and I’d be more inclined to look at it again if it came in e-book form, which is unlikely, or if I buy it, also unlikely. I don’t think my library will get the (probably lighter in weight) paperback edition. Given the pullout page and how easily this book could be damaged, I feel lucky that they make the hardcover edition available for borrowing.
I have three or four more days with this book before I plan to return it but I’m unlikely to read more, though I might look at all the art one more time.
Contents:
Director’s Foreword
Lenders to the Exhibition
Manet & Morisot
Plates
Essays:
An Enigma in Painting: Manet’s Portraits of Morisot
“The Prettiest Caricature That Was Ever Seen”: Morisot, Manet, and The Mother and Sister of the Artist
“Marisot” in 1874
“An Honest and Excellent Man”: Eugene Manet
Manet & Morisot: Pastels
A Woman for All Seasons: Morisot and Manet in Dialogue
Morisot After Manet
Timeline
Manet & Morisot: A Selection of Correspondence
Morisot’s Manets
List of Plates
Notes
References Cited
Exhibitions Cited
Acknowledgments
Indexes
Picture Credits
August 8, 2026
Wonderful book with beautiful paintings. I read it in my local library because it is quite huge. I would highly recommend it to art lovers.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews