Berthe Morisot

Book Description

Of the six Impressionist painters whose first exhibition scandalized and fascinated Paris in 1874, Berthe Morisot was the only woman. She reached a pinnacle of artistic achievement despite the restraints society placed on her sex, adroitly combining her artistic ambitions with a rewarding family life. Anne Higonnet brings fully to life an accomplished artist and her world.

Customer Reviews:

Get to Know this Complex Woman.......2002-01-23

Berthe was obviously an anomaly in her day and age... and, being self-deprecating and reticent, might've actually wished to be forgotten. She WAS literally forgotten for many years after her death. I am grateful to Ms. Higonnet for writing the book, but I felt throughout the reading that, although it was obvious Ms. H. admired Berthe, she didn't truly understand her. It bothered me that most of the book was about OTHER people, although her life DID seem to be about OTHER people. Berthe was generous and hidden, yet daring and "out there." It was probably very difficult to find the true Berthe. She was obviously very much beloved by the other Impressionists and her contributions as the catalyst of the group were immeasurable. But I wanted to know more. I didn't like it that each time she had an accomplishment, it seemed to be overshadowed, in the biography, by moving on to the accomplishments of one of the other more luminous figures in her world. Berthe was beautiful, dedicated, a wonderful mother and wife... after years of pressure by society and her own parents whose biggest fear was that she was to stay a "spinster" (who the HECK invented that word???)... I really felt for Berthe. But was she bulimic? Was she anorexic? What WAS the true nature of her mental challenges? I'd like to have seen some more of that area explored - as it has been so deeply investigated in the case of Vincent van Gogh. Whatever her maladies, we've got to admire the fact that she, unlike Mary Cassatt, DID have it all - career, family, home life, social recognition... and balanced it all so beautifully. But I wished Ms. Higonnet had given us just a bit more to grasp onto.

Berthe Morisot.......2001-10-30

GREAT BOOK!! I bought this book used from That Book Lady,
I recieved the book promptly and it was in excellent condition.
The book has wonderful information on Berthe Morisot.

Thorough and perceptive.......2001-06-14

My first reaction to Anne Higonnet's biography of Berthe Morisot was that it was a bit stiff. I had recently read Dominique Bona's "Berthe Morisot: Le secret de la femme en noir" and found that book to be well done, even though lacking documentation and even though indulging in "maybe it was like this" speculations from time to time. But I very much liked Dominique Bona's informal style, referring to Berthe Morisot as "Berthe", while Anne Higonnet almost always refers to her as "Morisot" (a small issue but one that is quite representative of the stylistic difference in the two biographies).

Of course, Anne Higonnet's work is more than 10 years older than Dominique Bona's, so that Dominique Bona reaped the benefits of reading Anne Higonnet's book. And there are many benefits to be had. Anne Higonnet has done a superb job of researching direct and indirect and even background sources to fill in the picture of Berthe Morisot's life and setting.

Book Description

This biography explores many of the questions that have surrounded Berthe Morisot since her death, such as the rumor that she was descended from the 18th-century French master, Fragonard; the true nature of her relationship with Edouard Manet and her deci

Customer Reviews:

A satisfying blend of artistic overview and biography........2001-01-04

Berthe Morisot provides an excellent biography of the 'first lady' of Impressionism, a French female painter who remains the least known of the French Impressionists. Others have focussed on her works; this provides a satisfying blend of artistic overview and a focus on her life and times which brings to life her influences and creations.

Berthe Morisot, the Correspondence With Her Family and Friends: Manet, Puvis De Chavannes, Degas, Monet, Renoir, and Mallarme

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Berthe Morisot, the Correspondence With Her Family and Friends: Manet, Puvis De Chavannes, Degas, Monet, Renoir, and Mallarme
Berthe Morisot , and Denis Rouart
Manufacturer: Moyer Bell
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Impressionist Quartet: The Intimate Genius of Manet and Morisot, Degas and Cassatt

ASIN: 0918825628

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Berthe Morisot
Kathleen Adler
Manufacturer: Phaidon Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Impressionism | Schools, Periods & Styles | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0714834793

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Berthe Morisot Paintings: 24 Art Cards
Berthe Morisot
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0486443124

Book Description

This lovely collection reproduces 24 of Morisot's finest works, among them The Coiffure, 1894; The Cradle, 1872; Julie Playing the Violin, 1894; and The Little Flute Players, 1891. Ideal for sending greetings to friends and art lovers, these charming cards can also be framed or simply added to a personal collection.

Morisot Paintings Giftwrap Paper: Two Sheets 18" x 24" (46 cm. x 61 cm.) with 3 Matching Gift Cards

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Morisot Paintings Giftwrap Paper: Two Sheets 18" x 24" (46 cm. x 61 cm.) with 3 Matching Gift Cards
Berthe Morisot
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0486443116

Book Description

Stunningly beautiful giftwrap paper comprised of details from 67 of Berthe Morisot's Impressionist masterpieces depicting women, children, and domestic scenes.

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A must for Morisot fans

Berthe Morisot: Impressionist
Charles F. Stuckey , W. P. Scott , and Suzanne G. Lindsay
Manufacturer: Rizzoli Intl Pubns
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0933920032

Customer Reviews:

A must for Morisot fans.......2005-04-19

This is the best kind of art book: it has both serious, informative text and loads of glorious color pictures. The two authors both write in a readable style and break up their essays into sections on Morisot's life and "style and technique". Morisot is treated as a respected artist throughout--there's none of that annoying "imitator-of-Manet" stuff--and the authors objectively explore the question of how much of an innovator she may have been. I've read many books on Morisot, and this is perhaps my favorite. A good companion to the "style and technique" section is a book called "Impressionists--Side by Side", which shows in more detail how Morisot's work compares with Renoir's and Cassatt's.

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Degas Manet Morisot
Paul Valery
Manufacturer: Princeton University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0691018820

Book Description

The full text of Valery's book on Degas, with a long essay on Corot, others on Berthe Morisot, Manet, and Daumier, a personal recollection of Renoir, and writings on sculpture, portraiture, Italian painting, and several minor arts.

Average customer rating:

A poor start.
Fascinating story paints an image of great love
An intriguing work of fiction

With Violets
Elizabeth Robards
Manufacturer: Five Star Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1410402223

Customer Reviews:

A poor start........2005-04-15

I read the first chapter of this book and was very disappointed by it. It did not seem to have enough art history in it, for a work of historical fiction, but had more of a 'romance' feel to it. That is certainly fine if that is the type of book you enjoy, but I prefer more history in my historical fiction.

Fascinating story paints an image of great love.......2005-01-28

Once I started reading WITH VIOLETS I could not put it down. Elizabeth Robards fascinates with a look into "what may have been" a great love story between master artist Edouard Manet and Impressionist painter Berthe Morisot.

While Morisot was a woman ahead of her time, with artistic passion, and the spirit to join Monet, Renoir, Cezanne and others as part of the Impressionist movement, history hints that she & Manet may have been more than fellow artists. Manet painted no other subject as often as Morisot, who served as a model for fourteen Manet portraits.

WITH VIOLETS begins with an engaging encounter between the two at the Louvre, and quickly draws you into the complexities of their love affair in 19th century Paris. The story embraces so many family members and friends that you not only feel the passion between Edouard and Berthe, but also the emotions of those witness to the attempt to veil the deep love that they cannot deny each other.

Vibrant language paints a story of passionate love between a married man, and a woman who seems willing to chance everything to be with him. Was Edouard's wife truly the former mistress of his father, and his loveless marriage only for reasons of family honor? Can Berthe risk her place among fellow artists, and bring shame upon the family who has encouraged her to buck convention and be the artist that she was born to be? Add in the intricacies of family, war and the Impressionist movement, and every page is riveting.

So much history is weaved into the love story that I found myself wanting to know more about the artists, and now look at their paintings with questions about what the eyes of the model and the strokes of the artist are telling me. While WITH VIOLETS is beautifully written historical fiction, the romantic in me wants to believe that Elizabeth Robards may be sharing a love story that truly was.

An intriguing work of fiction.......2004-11-21

In 1868 in the Louvre, Berthe Morisot practices painting by copying the masters. Usually she is accompanied by her sister and her mother, but today she is alone except for her friend Rosalie Riesener. Another friend, Monsieur Fantin joins the two young women and introduces them to renowned artist Edouard Manet. He flirts with Berthe and even changes her drawing slightly though she lectures him for doing so.

Berthe is attracted to Edouard, but is horrified to learn her new admirer is married to pianist Suzanne. The budding female artist also meets Edouard's brother Eugene; soon the siblings compete for the affection of Berthe. Will she choose the single brother, the famous married brother, or neither brother?

WITH VIOLETS is an intriguing work of fiction that provides insight into an interesting late nineteenth century artist (Berthe that is) and her relationships with the Manet brothers. Berthe is the focus of the story line as she seems attracted to Edouard but ultimately marry Eugene. Did she love Edouard or was that hero worship? Genre fans will gain a taste for Left Bank Paris during the impressionist period as Elizabeth Robards paints a delightful portrait of an impressionist artist ahead of her times.

Harriet Klausner

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