Early Life and Artistic Beginnings
Berthe Marie Pauline Morisot, a French painter, was born on January 14, 1841, in Bourges, France. She descended from an affluent bourgeois family with her father, Edmé Tiburce Morisot, serving as the prefect of the department of Cher. Her mother, Marie-Joséphine-Cornélie Thomas, was related to Jean-Honoré Fragonard, a prominent Rococo painter.
Artistic Training and Influences
Berthe, along with her sisters Yves and Edma, received private art lessons from Geoffroy-Alphonse Chocarne and Joseph Guichard. This marked the beginning of her artistic journey. In 1857, Guichard introduced them to the Louvre gallery, where they learned by observing and copying paintings.
Notable Works and Exhibitions
Berthe's first appearance in the
Salon de Paris was in 1864 with two landscape paintings. She continued to show her work regularly until 1873. In 1874, she joined the Impressionists in their first exhibition, which included notable artists like Paul Cézanne, Edgar Degas, and Claude Monet.
- Woman in the Green Dress, a striking portrait, showcases her unique style.
- Her participation in the Impressionist exhibitions solidified her position within the movement.
- As one of "les trois grandes dames" of Impressionism, Berthe's work was praised by critics like Gustave Geffroy.
Personal Life and Legacy
Berthe married Eugène Manet, brother of her friend and colleague Édouard Manet. Her mature career began in 1872, with Durand-Ruel buying twenty-two of her paintings. Berthe chose to exhibit under her full maiden name, a testament to her independence.
Key Facts:
- Married to Eugène Manet, brother of Édouard Manet.
- First Impressionist exhibition in 1874.
- Described as "one real Impressionist" by a critic for Le Temps in 1877.
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