Berthe Morisot

Berthe Morisot (1841-1895) was a French painter and a member of the Impressionist movement. She was born in Bourges, France, into a wealthy family and received a traditional education, including art lessons. Morisot was influenced by the works of Édouard Manet, whom she met in 1868 and later married his brother, Eugène Manet. She exhibited her work for the first time in the highly esteemed Salon de Paris in 1864, and continued to show her paintings there regularly until 1874, when she joined the "rejected" Impressionists in their independent exhibitions.

Morisot's work focused on domestic scenes and portraits, often featuring women and children. She was known for her loose brushwork and light color palette, which captured the effects of light and atmosphere. Some of her notable works include The Cradle, Reading, and Woman at Her Toilette. Morisot was also an advocate for women artists and played a significant role in promoting the Impressionist movement. Despite facing gender-based discrimination, she achieved critical and commercial success during her lifetime.

After her death, Morisot's work continued to be celebrated and has been featured in numerous exhibitions around the world. Her paintings are held in the collections of major institutions such as the Musée d'Orsay in Paris and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Morisot's contribution to the Impressionist movement and her pioneering role as a female artist have solidified her legacy in the history of art.