Berthe Morisot: A Biography

by Anne Higonnet

Book Overview

Anne Higonnet's perceptive biography explores Berthe Morisot's struggle for self-expression and professional mastery against the rigid restraints her society imposed upon women. Illustrated.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060162325
• ISBN13: 9780060162320
• Release Date: January 1990
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 1.38 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Berthe Morisot: Brilliant Research

Anne Higonnet's book is written as a research book which it is. I have read it more than once going back and highlighting several parts. I am writing a historical fiction on her life and no other book written has the insight into the life of Berthe Morisot and the people in her life. The author spent time with the Rouart family. They had married into the Morisot world and trusted her with intimate details. This is not a fluff book or a romance novel but true account of the artist's life. Bravo Anne Higonnet!

Berthe Morisot

GREAT BOOK!! I bought this book used from That Book Lady,I recieved the book promptly and it was in excellent condition.The book has wonderful information on Berthe Morisot.

Thorough and perceptive

My first reaction to Anne Higonnet's biography of Berthe Morisot was that it was a bit stiff. I had recently read Dominique Bona's "Berthe Morisot: Le secret de la femme en noir" and found that book to be well done, even though lacking documentation and even though indulging in "maybe it was like this" speculations from time to time. But I very much liked Dominique Bona's informal style, referring to Berthe Morisot as "Berthe", while Anne Higonnet almost always refers to her as "Morisot" (a small issue but one that is quite representative of the stylistic difference in the two biographies).Of course, Anne Higonnet's work is more than 10 years older than Dominique Bona's, so that Dominique Bona reaped the benefits of reading Anne Higonnet's book. And there are many benefits to be had. Anne Higonnet has done a superb job of researching direct and indirect and even background sources to fill in the picture of Berthe Morisot's life and setting.Sometimes Anne Higonnet's presentation creates a distance: emotional connection is lost amid the cultural history. But overall, this is a fascinating "MUST" book for anyone who wants to understand Berthe Morisot's painting, persona, and life.