Who Is Berthe Morisot?

1011 Words3 Pages

Berthe Morisot “Real painters understand with a brush in their hand”, is said by Berthe Morisot (Brainy Quote). Berthe Morisot was an impressionist and a member of the circle of painters in Paris who became known as the impressionists. Berthe Morisot was born on January 14, 1841 in Bourges, France. Berthe Morisot's father was a high-ranking government official and her grandfather was the influential Rococo painter Jean-Honoré Fragonard. She and her sister Edma began painting as young girls. Despite the fact that as women they were not allowed to join official arts institutions, the sisters earned respect in art circles for their talent. Berthe and Edma went to Paris to study under experienced painters such as Joseph Guichard and also studied …show more content…

She continued to show regularly in the Salon until 1874, the year of the first impressionist exhibition. Meanwhile, in 1868 Morisot became acquainted with Édouard Manet. He took a special interest in Morisot, as is evident from his warm portrayal of her in several paintings. One includes a striking portrait study of Morisot in a black veil, while in mourning for her father's death. It is displayed at the top of the article. Correspondence between them bespeaks affection (Berthe Morisot). He once gave her an easel as a Christmas present. He also interfered in one of her Salon submissions when he was engaged to transport it. Manet mistook one of Morisot's simple self-criticisms, as an invitation to add his corrections, which he did, much to Morisot's dismay. Although traditionally Manet has been related as the master and Morisot as the follower, there is evidence that their relationship was a reciprocating one. Morisot had developed her own distinctive artistic style. Records of paintings show Manet's approval and appreciation of certain stylistic and compositional decisions that Morisot originated. He incorporated some of these characteristics into his own work. It was Morisot who convinced Manet to attempt plein air painting, which she had been practicing since having been introduced to it by Corot (Berthe

Open Document