Seduction: A Feminist Reading of Berthe Morisot's Paintings

摘要

Berthe Morisot was one of the founders of the French Impressionist movement in the nineteenth century. However, she is not researched with the same level of respect as her male Impressionist counterparts. Scholars often rely on her biography to analyze her artwork, compare her to other women artists, or briefly mention her accomplishments in a generalized history of the French Impressionist movement. I analyzed nine of Morisot's paintings and applied feminist theory, including third-wave feminism (post-1960's). My research was angled to approach and understand Morisot's artwork as a contemporary woman would at an exhibition.