Berthe Morisot
Born – Bourges, France 1841
Died – Paris, France 1895
Berthe Morisot came from a wealthy and cultured family who recognised her precocious talent. She studied at the Ecole de Beaux-Arts during 1856-1859 and from 1860 under Corot. Her early landscapes were exhibited at the Salon and had freshness due to being painted outside. Increasingly, she painted simple domestic scenes observed directly from her own life, such as her sister by a cradle, or a woman quietly reading. Morisot was introduced to Manet by Fantin-Latour during a visit to the Louvre in 1868. Their close friendship was critical to the development of their respective artistic careers. She posed for Manet’s painting The Balcony later that year. The first women to join the Impressionists, Morisot exhibited in seven of the eight Impressionists exhibitions. Morisot married Eugene, Manet’s brother, in 1814. In a Park, is a charming and intimate portrayal of middle-class life which, despite its delicacy, manages to avoid excess sentiment. Morisot frequently painted young girls – there are numerous portraits of her daughter – expressing her interest in the transition from girlhood to womanhood.
Masterpieces:
- The Cradle
- La Lecture.
text: The A-Z of Art, Nicola Hodge and Libby Anson.