Berthe Morisot

In the Wheatfields at Gennevilliers, 1875. Oil on canvas, 18 x 27 in. Musee D'Orsay, Paris.

Young Woman in an Evening Dress. 1879. Oil on canvas, 28 x 33 in. Musee D'Orsay, Paris.

"Real painters understand with a brush in their hand." - Berthe Morisot

"Berthe Morisot - 1841-1895. French Impressionist painter who specialized in sensitive pictures of women and children. She was taught by Corot and was much influenced by Manet and, in thee 1880's, Renoir. She exhibited in most of the Impressionist shows. She was the granddaughter of the artist Fragonard." (Brockhampton)

Morisot was born into an aristocratic family and took painting lessons as a young lady with her sister, Edma. She excelled at it, but had to hide it as it was not acceptable in Parisian society to be a serious painter, especially a married woman with a child. She was married to Eugene Manet, brother to the famous painter Edouard Manet. They had one daughter, Julie. She did later break out of convention and showed with the Impressionist group and knew success while she was still alive. She died of pneumonia in her 50's before Julie was married.