MORISOT, Berthe
1841-1926

Morisot's interest in art was initiated by her father, a top ranking civil servant at the Cour de Comptes, who taught her to draw. All who came into contact with her at this time were impressed not only by her skill and facility, but by her sensitivity to changes that were taking place in the art world. Berthe and her sister Edina (who married Adolphe Pontillon, Manet's naval co-recruit) took painting lessons with Corot and Oudinot, copied in the Louvre alongside Fantin and were introduced to Manet in 1868. Berthe posed for The Balcony and Repose, and Manet made many portraits of her before her marriage to his brother Eugene in 1874 and the birth of their daughter Julie. An accomplished and highly individual artist, she exhibited with the Impressionists.