Page:Women in the Fine Arts From the Seventh Century B.C. to the Twentiet.djvu/512

Rh Édouard. This artist signed her pictures with her maiden name, being too modest to use that which she felt belonged only to Édouard Manet, in the world of art. A great interest was, however, aroused in the private galleries, where the works of the early impressionists were seen, by the pictures of. Berthe Morisot. Camille Mauclair, an enthusiastic admirer of this school of art, says: "Berthe Morizot will remain the most fascinating figure of Impressionism — the one who has stated most precisely the femininity of this luminous and iridescent art."

A great-granddaughter of Fragonard, she seems to have inherited his talent ; Corot and Renoir forcibly appealed to her. These elements, modified by her personal attitude, imparted a strong individuality to her works, which divided honors with her personal charms.

According to the general verdict, she was equally successful in oils and water-colors. Her favorite subjects—although she painted others—were sea-coast views, flowers, orchards, and gardens and young girls in every variety of costume. After the death of Édouard Manet, she devoted herself to building up an appreciation of his work in the public mind. So intelligent were her methods that she doubtless had great influence in making the memory of his art enduring.

Among her most characteristic works are: "The Memories of the Oise," 1864; "Ros-Bras," "Finistère," 1868; "A Young Girl at a Window," 1870; a pastel, "Blanche," 1873; "The Toilet," and "A Young Woman at the Ball."