Berthe Morisot at the Marmottan Monet Museum, March 8-July 1, 2012

By Vivienne Mackie

A retrospective devoted to one of the most illustrious of the women Impressionist painters, Berthe Morisot (1841-1895).

Do you want to witness stunning artworks from one of the best painters in the world? If yes, then book flights to France and get your apartment Paris and head to the Marmottan Monet Museum to see the works of a great impressionist painter.

This is a very good special exhibition, but very popular and therefore very crowded. You may stand in a long line outside, but it’s definitely worth the effort—well done, fun and educational. It’s helpful to get the audio-guides, which explain a lot more than the information boards do.

This is a very good special exhibition, but very popular and therefore very crowded. You may stand in a long line outside, but it’s definitely worth the effort—well done, fun and educational. It’s helpful to get the audio-guides, which explain a lot more than the information boards do.

The Marmottan Museum is housed in a private mansion that was once a hunting lodge.  It has a superb collection of art, from medieval miniatures to the largest collection of Claude Monet paintings.

During this special exhibition, the large downstairs gallery, where the Monets were exhibited before, has been converted to this special exhibition space and the Monets moved to the top of the stairs. We really enjoyed learning more about Berthe Morisot, her life and her painting career, illustrated chronologically by her works and those by some of her contemporaries.

She showed artistic talent from a young age and she and her sister were encouraged by their family to take drawing and painting lessons, a little unusual for that time, when women were expected to be good wives and mothers, not have a career. She became a model for Eduard Manet (thus, the famous painting Berthe Morisot with a Bouquet of Violets, 1872 and The Balcony), and through him met the younger brother, Eugene Manet, whom she married in 1874. He was a man of independent means and supported his wife’s painting and career. She became friends with many of the new group of artists: the Impressionists. She was considered an equal by her peers—such as Manet, Renoir, Monet, Renoir, Degas, who all owned works by her—and took part in all the group exhibitions, from the first one in 1874, although she never had a one-woman show. Her only child, a daughter Julie, was born in 1878, after which Berthe painted many canvases on the subject of childhood. Julie became one of her favorite models whom she painted at many different ages and differing poses. A favorite theme of Berthe was female figures, with a focus on the feminine world and feminine grace. One of her most well-known works is Woman with a Fan or At the Ball, 1875. She also explored painting landscapes, following Monet’s lessons to “communicate with the landscape”. One we especially like is The Dovecote at Mesnil, 1892. The exhibition also displays some of her drawings and pastels.

Sadly, her health was never very good and she died fairly young, after contracting the flu from Julie.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION:

Marmottan Monet Museum, 2 rue Louis-Boilly (on the edge of Bois de Boulogne)

Metro: La Muette (line 9), and then a 10-15 minute walk

www.marmottan.com

Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-6pm, until 8pm on Thursdays. Closed May 1, December 25, and January 1.

No photography in the exhibition or the museum.

Entrance 10 euro adults, no senior reduction. Reduction (5 euros) for teachers, students, children  7+, handicapped

Tickets can be bought online in advance

Go through  security and leave large bags/backpacks at the coat/bag check.

The museum has limited toilets and no café.