Berthe Morisot – Impressionist painter

Berthe Morisot (1841-1895) was unusual for her times – she was an Impressionist painter at a time when almost all painters that were taken seriously were male.  She was one of the group of painters who set up their own exhibition defying the then Art Establishment.  The group included Renoir, Pissarro, Cezanne, Degas and Monet.  The painting above is called The Harbour at Lorient.  It dates from 1869.  Sister Wendy says this is her best work.

 Berthe was a very good artist indeed.  She was good friends with Manet and ended up marrying his brother, so becoming his sister-in-law.  The painting above is The Cradle  - it shows her sister with her baby.  This painting is probably her most famous one.  You will find the original in the Musee d'Orsay.

This painting is called The Artist's Sister.

This is from 1879 – Young Woman in Evening Dress

This is not a Morisot painting – it is Manet's painting The Balcony.  The woman sitting with the fan is Berthe Morisot.  Berthe died from influenza in 1895 aged only 54.