Biography
Berthe Morisot (1841–1895) was a pioneering French painter and a founding member of the Impressionist movement—and notably, one of its few women. Despite working in a male-dominated art world, Morisot achieved critical recognition during her lifetime and is now celebrated as one of the most important Impressionist painters.
Artistic Style:
Morisot’s work is characterized by light brushwork, soft color palettes, and an emphasis on natural light—hallmarks of Impressionism. Her paintings often have an intimate and spontaneous quality, capturing fleeting moments in time. She painted scenes from everyday life, but through the lens of a woman—often showing the private, domestic sphere with depth and complexity.
Notable Connections:
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She was close friends with Édouard Manet, who painted her several times (she later married his brother, Eugène Manet).
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Morisot exhibited in seven of the eight Impressionist exhibitions, more than many of her male counterparts.
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She often painted from life, preferring to work directly in front of her subjects rather than in a studio.
Legacy:
Though long overshadowed by male Impressionists, Morisot’s reputation has grown significantly. Today, she is viewed as a trailblazer for women in art, and her contributions to modern painting are widely recognized. In recent years, major retrospectives of her work have been held at institutions such as the Musée d'Orsay in Paris and the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia.